Few things in the world can move multi-division champion Claressa Shields to tears, but her greatest source of inspiration, her late grandmother Joanne Adams, is one of them. Growing up in Flint, Michigan, Claressa found comfort and a sanctuary in her grandmother’s home, where she lived from ages five to ten, and returned during her freshman and sophomore years.

Tragically, their life together ended when Adams passed away in 2010 after a courageous battle with cancer. Their deep bond is reflected in Shields’ tribute: she had their old home rebuilt after the street where she grew up was renamed ‘Claressa Shields Street.’ Despite the years that have passed since Adams’ death, Shields holds her memory close. In a recent tweet, ‘T-Rex’ shared why she proudly has her grandma-given nickname embroidered on her boxing shorts for every match.

A sweet tribute from grandma’s girl: Claressa Shields 

After clinching the WBC heavyweight title from Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse last weekend at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Claressa Shields took to X to share a photo of herself before the fight. In the image, she’s seen wearing gold and pink gear with ‘Cocoa’ embroidered on the waistband of her shorts, a nod to her nickname given by her grandma.

Meanwhile, in the caption, ‘T-Rex’ Shields, who also has a movie (The Fire Inside) about her life coming out in December this year, poured her heart out about the special nickname. The 29-year-old wrote, “Cocoa: My nickname that my grandma called me growing up. I wear it on my shorts in remembrance of her”.

When her grandma passed away, Shields moved in with her former coach Jason Crutchfield and his wife for two years to prepare for the 2012 London Olympics. Shields would go on to secure gold in the Olympic games and create history in Rio De Janeiro by winning another in 2016. Regardless, ‘T-Rex’ continued, “I miss my girl so much. Rest in heaven”.

It’s been 14 years since Joanne Adams left earth, so Shields concluded her heartfelt tribute by writing, “Been a long 14 years without my baby…. Forever a granny’s girl”. But the thing is, this isn’t the first time Shields has taken to social media to describe her love for her late grandmother, and it’s unlikely to be the last! 

Shields is thankful for her entire 9th grade 

While grandma Adams was not around to watch Shields bring home gold twice in a row, she played a key role in making Shields a champion. Per a report from the Guardian, Adams was always clear, “Whatever you do, don’t stop boxing”, she told her granddaughter in hopes that boxing would be her ticket out of Flint and into the world beyond. 

So, Shields is thankful that she got to spend her entire 9th grade with her grandma, as the very next year, Shields would lose her biggest inspiration to cancer. In a tweet dated August last year, Shields wrote, “I’m just laying here thinking. Thanking God. My entire 9th grade year I lived with my grandmother, she would let me take Wednesdays off of school and we would spend that day together. She passed away the following year (Cancer). But I’m just thankful GOD gave me that year”.

With all the training and buzz around, it’s super easy to lose track of what got you to where you are. But Shields hasn’t let that slip her mind—she’s got a clear picture of her journey and the folks who fueled her fire. Without her grandma Joanne Adams, Shields might be a totally different person in a different place—luckily, that’s not a reality we have to consider. What’s your take on her nickname?