Bijan Robinson Parents: Meet Mom LeMore Saul Who Raised Him With His Grandparents

From playing imaginary football games to now playing as a professional athlete, Bijan Robinson has come far in his life. However, his personal life was quite a bit complex.

Atlanta Falcons running back Robinson played his rookie season last year. And now, he aims to be utilized like San Francisco 49ers star RB Christian McCaffrey. However, this spirit of moving forward isn’t his newfound rookie passion, it runs in the family.

Who are Bijan Robinson Parents?

Although much is not known about Bijan Robinson’s father, his mother, LeMore Saul got pregnant while attending her college at Mesa Community College in Phoenix. Then her family decided to keep her education and graduation, and she returned home to Tucson, Ariz., to raise her son with his grandparents, Cleo and Terri Robinson. Saul then kept her son’s name – Bijan (which means hero in Persian). Bijan’s mother, and grandparents helped him to achieve his NFL dream. When he was drafted last year, Robinson’s family was excited about his big moment.

His mother, step father, and grandparents also moved to Kansas City to witness it. In an interview with KGUN before the NFL Draft, LaMore revealed that Bijan has dreamed of playing in the NFL since he was a little boy. The craze was so much that in his childhood, “he’d cut pictures out of game day programs — of any player, not just starters — then paste the heads on toothpicks or popsicle sticks.”

Although Bijan’s mother remarried and took the last name Sauls (from LaMont Sauls), Bijan chose to stay with his grandparents. He calls LaMore “mom,” but also gives that title to his grandmother, Gerri Robinson, and calls his grandfather, Cleo Robinson, “Dad.”

Bijan Robinson’s father figure is his grandfather!

Bijan Robinson bonded with his grandfather Cleo Robinson over football. Cleo, based in Tucson, worked as a Pac-12 referee and later as an instant replay ref for over three decades. Bijan watched his grandfather on TV and in person, copying the moves he saw players make. By age 5, he played flag football, growing his passion for the game. Cleo spent weekends with Bijan’s idols for work and brought programs home for his grandson.

Cleo retired at age 75 and watched his grandson’s childhood dream come true. He found it amazing to see Bijan excel, saying it was surprising to realize his grandson was not the one performing on the field. Cleo’s influence went beyond football, deeply impacting every part of Bijan’s life, creating a bond more like father and a son, and that’s why he even called him dad.

Bijan’s grandmother Terri remembered his love for football and his grandfather. She recalled how Bijan, as a child, would throw himself on the ground saying, “Tackle me! Tackle me! Tackle me!” Now, he does everything he can to avoid being tackled.