Odell Beckham Sr. and Odell Beckham Jr. attend the 2018 Diamond Ball in September 2018 in New York City. ; Heather Van Norman and son Odell Beckham, Jr. attend the 2015 Fresh Air Fund’s Salute To American Heroes in May 2015 in New York City.Photo:Taylor Hill/WireImage
Taylor Hill/WireImage
Miami Dolphins wide receiverOdell Beckham Jr.has made a name for himself with spectacular catches and electrifying plays since stepping onto the NFL gridiron. The football star’s athletic prowess can be traced back to his parents, Heather Van Norman and Odell Beckham Sr.
His mother was a student at Louisiana State University, and she was training for the 1992 Olympic track and field trials when she found out she was pregnant with him, according toCBS Sports. Meanwhile, his father played football at the same university, which made the newborn a fixture on campus; Odell even attended classes with his mom.
“I’m a momma’s boy,” he shared in the 2018docu-seriesI Am More: OBJ. “My mom worked very, very hard to be able to provide everything for me. [She] put me in the best situation and made sure that I was always taken care of, made sure that I was loved."
Odell Jr added, “There’s nothing that brings me more joy than to see my mom smile. … I just wanna make my momma proud.”
The Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native is equally effusive in his appreciation for his dad.
“This man would give his life just to see me smile, he has made me the man I am today,” he wroteon Instagram. “Works his a– off just to get me whatever I need. Pops I love u man.”
From supporting their son at theSuper Bowlto watching him become a dad, here’s everything to know about Odell Beckham Jr.’s parents, Odell Beckham Sr. and Heather Van Norman.
Heather was a star athlete
Heather Van Norman with her son Odell Beckham Jr. as an infant.Heather Van Norman Instagram
Heather Van Norman Instagram
Heather was a standout athlete during her college years. After transferring from the University of Minnesota her sophomore year, she was an All-American track sensation at LSU from 1991 to 1993. She led the Lady Tigers to five impressive national championships, helping her team earn two NCAA indoor titles and three back-to-back NCAA outdoor titles.
By the time Heather graduated in 1994, she had racked up six All-American honors and three individual NCAA titles with the relay teams. Since then, she has used her athletic experiences to guide her son on the football field.
“I remember her texting me after games. I had decent games, and she’s texting me – ‘Oh, your form looks great,' " Odell Jr. recalled during the NFL Scouting Combine in 2014, perSB Nation.
He continued, “It’s funny to hear coming from her. She’s a track coach. It’s not like, ‘That’s a nice catch.’ She’s talking about running form.”
When asked how his mom would fare in a 40-yard dash contest, Odell Jr. was confident in his mom’s talent. “Probably a 4.2. She’s pretty fast,” he said.
Odell Sr. was also a football player
Odell Beckham Jr. and his father, Odell Beckham Sr.Odell Beckham Jr. Instagram
Odell Beckham Jr. Instagram
Odell Sr.’s journey in football was an integral part of his son’s inspiration and subsequent success in the sport, highlighting a legacy of athletic talent within the family. Odell Sr. was particularly proud to see his son carve out a professional football career.
“It’s something that has never happened in my family,” he said in an interview withThe Marshall News Messengerbefore his son was drafted in 2014. “The chain has been broken and I’m very ecstatic. This is what I wish for as a parent. Parents always want their kids to have more, go further and be better.”
Odell Sr. also credited their faith and community of coaches, counselors and tutors for preparing his son for life in the NFL.
“Everyone from his mother and godmother to his stepfather; it was just an army that swarmed to make sure everything he was doing was the right thing in a respectful manner,” he shared.
Odell Jr. has several siblings
Odell Beckham Sr. with his kids, Kordell, Sonny and Summer.Odell Beckham Sr. Instagram
Odell Beckham Sr. Instagram
In 1996, his stepfather, Derek Mills, competed in the Olympics and won a gold medal as part of the 400-meter relay team.
Heather and Derek share a daughter, Jasmyne Mills. According toher LinkedIn, she’s majoring in interior design at Arizona State University and is set to graduate in 2024. Jasmyne is also a member of theAlpha Chi Omega Zeta Pi chapter.
Odell Jr. also has younger siblings on his dad’s side: sons Kordell and Sonny and daughter Summer. Kordell is an aspiring model with more than 60,000 followerson InstagramwhileSonny and Summer are growing upwatching Odell Jr. play professional football.
Heather and Odell Sr. are grandparents
Odell Beckham Jr. and his son Zydn Beckham with Odell Beckham Sr. ; Heather Van Norman with her grandson, Zydn Beckham.Odell Beckham Sr. Instagram ; Heather Van Norman Instagram
Odell Beckham Sr. Instagram ; Heather Van Norman Instagram
Just days after Odell Jr. won Super Bowl LVI, he andthen-girlfriendLauren Woodwelcomed their first child.Zydn Beckhamwas born on Feb. 17, 2022, and immediately captured the hearts of his dad and grandparents.
“For the longest time,I always knew I was going to be a fatherbecause of the way that I love kids. They’re close to my heart,” Odell Jr. told PEOPLE in 2022. “It was the biggest blessing of my life. I always knew that it would be, but it really hit different when I was actually holding him.”
Heather has loved watching her son develop into a doting dad.
“Being a father has definitely settled him,” she told theBaltimore Ravensin an interview. “Zydn is like his light. He’s always loved children. But being with Zydn brings out all the goodness in Odell. It’s really fun to watch.”
Odell Sr. is an entrepreneur
Odell Beckham, Sr. at the 11th Annual NFL Honors in February 2022 in Los Angeles, California.Karl Walter/Variety/Penske Media/Getty
Karl Walter/Variety/Penske Media/Getty
A friendly competition between Odell Sr. and his son turned into a company. Back in 2016, Odell Jr. challenged his dad to a contest to see who could grow the longest beard.
While searching for beard grooming products, Odell Sr. wanted more than what he found on the market, so he created his own luxury beard care brand.
Odell Beckham Brandsfeatures beard wash, cream conditioner, oil, styling balm and wax. The company’s marketing and promotion often include Odell Sr.’s famous son.
Heather is a supportive mom
Odell Beckham Jr. with his mom Heather Van Norman after his first Super Bowl win in 2022.Heather Van Norman Instagram
Both parents have consistently supported their son, but Odell Jr. has an especially close bond with his mom.
Heather was in the crowd to see her son win the first Super Bowl of his career when the Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in 2022. Odell Jr. scored the first touchdown but could not finish the game because of a knee injury.
Heather heaped praise on the newly-minted Super Bowl championon Instagrampost-game.
“I marvel at your integrity, dedication, adoration for the game … This moment is a moment that you deserve!” she captioned photos of them together. “It’s a testimony to the blood, sweat, and tears that you have poured into your mind, body, and soul. Continue to shine bright my luv! @obj 💙💛🌟I love you more …. ❤️.”
In a 2014 interview with theNew York Post, Odell Jr. talked about his mom’s impact on his life.
“She’ll send me quotes and scriptures just to keep my head on right. She just tries to make sure I stay like I am and just stay humble and putting God first,” he said.
“She’s an amazing woman,” he added. “She’s caring, she’s always keeping my head on straight, she’s a hard worker — definitely one of the best women I’ve ever met in my entire life. I’m so happy just to be able to see her smile and know that I made her proud.”
source: people.com
