“TJ will run out there first” Kentucky head coach Tyson Helton announced the starting quarterback for the tops for the game against the Crimson Tide. TJ Finley was born on March 25, 2002, and hails from Ponchatoula, Louisiana. The 6-foot-7, 255-pound quarterback attended Ponchatoula High School to learn the basics of the game. Soon after, he became a key player and began his collegiate career at LSU before switching to Auburn and then transferring to Texas State.

Given his highlighted career in the field, he became the most sought-after player in college football and aims to continue doing it in the 2024 season. Along with TJ’s efforts to be successful, it was his parent’s immense love and support through his journey that played a pivotal role in making it possible. That being said, let’s delve into the insights of his family.

TJ Finley’s father

David Finley had an accomplished career as a physicist and researcher, and he also worked as an administrator at the Fermi Lab, made contributions to many experiments, and took retirement back in 2017. Besides that, he has a record of stating his opinions on his son’s football journey. Especially when TJ Finley was at Auburn College. His dad took his stand for the messed up quarterback situation going on at Auburn. During the Locked on Auburn podcast, David Finley expressed his concern about how the offense has been handled and how it’s impacting his son’s growth. “Neither quarterback has gotten a rhythm,” said TJ’s dad on the quarterback rotation of Auburn. “the in and out effects of their play. He could not settle in and get a full game behind him,” He said this while talking about TJ and his teammate Ashford, who also played quarterback.

David added that the total scores played between TJ and Ashford are the same, with a 50/50 split, although TJ got named the starting quarterback. He went on by saying, “One quarterback goes in, runs a play, and loses a yard, runs a play and gains two yards, then I’m asked to go in and cover. He did that. I’m just calling a spade a spade.” He explained the play calling happening in Auburn. He raised questions like, how can someone blame when they are in the red zone and each play that runs was being told to run? Was that execution or the play? David Finley added by saying, “You had no slants, no bubbles, no screen passes, no drags across the middle, nothing to bail your quarterback out on obvious passing downs.” Finley raised concern over his son’s position at his college, Auburn. He said that this type of strategy affects his son’s development as a quarterback. Besides his dad, TJ, his mother also influenced Finley’s life.

TJ Finley’s mother

TJ Finley and Kody Finley were born to David Finley and Shannon Finley. His mother, Shannon Finley, had been constantly providing him with love and support throughout his journey. While talking about TJ’s struggles in his football career, his mom said, “We have been hearing people say, is the moment too big for him? Will he fold under pressure? She continued by saying, “They don’t realize this is a kid who has had success in the SEC. He has won some good games. Furthermore, TJ’s mother explained that her son has had hard lessons in a few games, which made him more mature both on and off the field. Apart from that, further personal or professional details about Shannon Finley are not available.

With the unwavering support of his parents, TJ Finley is making waves in college football. He enters the 2024 season to highlight his performance as a starting quarterback for Western Kentucky. In week one, he’ll face a game against Alabama. That’s the third time he will be playing against the Crimson Tide in his football career. Besides that, let us know in the comments which team you are rooting for in the 2024 season.