Members of the National Football Players Father's Association take pride in their sons

Jet, June 16, 2003

Nothing makes a father more proud than watching his son become a chip off the old block. Seeing his son succeed in life is one of many treasures a father can attest to.

Often a devoted parent has played a significant role in a professional athlete's career.

Many of them are in the National Football Players Father's Association (NFPFA). Founded in 2000, it's a group comprised of dedicated dads who have been instrumental in the success of their NFL son's lives. For Father's Day, JET talked to several of these dads.

Led by president Samuel McNabb, father of Philadelphia Eagles star quarterback Donovan McNabb, the idea of the non-profit organization is to help lead by example and to set a direction for the son's positive behavior, while working diligently in the community to remove the collective label of fathers as "deadbeat dads."

"The purpose of the Father's Association is primarily to try to have the integrity of our boys both on and off the field," McNabb told JET. "We try ... to rejuvenate interest from the male parental standpoint to give fathers insight on the importance of supporting their kids through their adolescent ages and up until their adult years."

McNabb says the group is very fortunate to have the support of the NFL and NFL Players Association.

In the last four years, McNabb has seen one of his sons become an elite Pro Bowl quarterback. No matter what your son's goal may be, McNabb says, one should be pleased when he achieves it.

"You have that sense of pride knowing that you have a son who aspired to do something and he fulfills his aspirations and his goals and they are to primarily play in the NFL, and that's what he's done. So it's a good feeling to know that he's able to achieve his goal," McNabb said of his son Donovan, who last season signed a new 12-year contract with a total potential value of $115 million, the highest in NFL history.

San Francisco 49ers Pro Bowl defensive tackle Bryant Young is entering his 10th season in the NFL, and his dad, Tommy Young, has been there every step of the way.

"It's exciting to see him out there playing, going on with his life and with his family. [His success] has made me feel like I have accomplished something," Tommy Young said.

"I have three boys, all three doing well for themselves. I think every father wants to see his children excel in life. Now, I'm sort of just living my life through my son now, his excitement, going places and enjoying life," added Young.

Curtis Randle El said he's been enjoying his son's success too, though not as long as Young has. Antwaan Randle El played his rookie season last year with Pittsburgh and made a smashing debut as a quality wide receiver.

"Different people come up to me and tell me about his character and how he carries himself," Randle El said of his son. "We all know he's a little silly; we can deal with that. The coaches and staff give good reports on him about his playing on the field and off the field. As a father, I've just been having fun. I hope it never ends, to tell you the truth."

Darrell Hill III played his rookie year last season as a Titans' wide receiver. His dad, Darrell Hill, admits that he's proud to have a son in the league, but it's also scary.

"I only have two kids and one plays football and that's a pretty dangerous sport. I don't think I'll ever adjust to it. I never expected to feel this way. It's nerve-wracking," said Hill.

While the members of the association happily express their pride, many say the experience comes with a price. Some of the major lifestyle changes that all the NFPFA members agree on are the nationwide traveling to see their sons play, in addition to dealing with the long periods their sons are away from home.

"I don't see him, and that bothers me. I miss the heck out of him. Not having him close where I can go to see him, just spend a few minutes with him, bothers me," Hill said.

The dad of another Tennessee Titans receiver also has mixed emotions about his son's involvement in sports. John McCareins, whose son Justin is entering his third year with the Tennessee team and who made an immediate impact with the club, said, "It's very exciting. However, there's a lot of anxiety because the pressure seems to build on the young man's performance and with football, there's always the fear of injury. Justin broke his foot twice in his first year with Tennessee. Everyone coming away without getting hurt is extremely important."

"When you're young, the games are all in town. Now all of sudden you may find yourself in Oakland, or New York or New Orleans, so everything becomes a big event. That makes kind of a change in your life as you start trying to rearrange your schedule when the football season comes along," McCareins said.

Marshall Sullivan has three daughters and Marques Sullivan, the Buffalo Bills offensive guard, is his only son. Sullivan says his life hasn't changed much overall since his son played his first down in the league two years ago, but for that reason, it is hard to let go.