Ever wondered what fuels the fire behind an NFL star? For Jets’ linebacker Haason Reddick, it’s all about his family’s unwavering support. Meet dad Raymond Matthews, who was a wide receiver at Clarion University, and mom Raelakia Reddick, an inspirational children’s teacher.

Dad Matthew, who himself was a footballer, understands the hurdles of the sports world well whereas, Mom Raelakia has been a constant source of emotional support. Throughout the journey from Haason’s native East Camden to the NFL Draft 2017, his parents’ contribution was crucial to making it happen.

All about Haason Reddick’s Dad Raymond and Mom Raelakia

In the early days, sports were just an outlet for Haason before his father got him into football. During his high school days at Haddon Heights, he played under coach Ralph Shalvo as a running back & safety, and become a three-year letter winner (’13, ’14, ’15). But Haason’s path to the NFL was far from straightforward.

Mom Raelakia wanted him to go beyond Camden. She never thought her son Haason Reddick would become an NFL star or even an athlete. Growing up in Camden and working an educator, Raelakia always focused on academics over athletics. According to South Jersey Magazine, she said, “Did I think he was going to be an athlete? Absolutely not. My focus was more on education.” 

Later, Reddick moved with his dad to Temple for better academics and experienced a big change. “It was a big thing for me, a big change. I had never lived with my father before that. But a lot of good things came out of that,” he explained.

That change became the turning point in his life and his daily hard work gave him a chance to shine.

Dad Matthew was always there with his practical experience behind Haason Reddick. Even this year, when Haason got traded from the Eagles to the Jets, dad was right there backing him. Initially, Matthew found it baffling. Talking to ESPN’s Tim McManus, he stated, “I really can’t wrap my head around it. I’m baffled like everyone else. He outperformed his contract. … He just wanted market value. He just wanted the numbers that made sense, which he didn’t get.”

Haason left the Eagles with one year left on the contract and without an extension. Dad’s support and experiences were crucial for Haason emotionally, especially when Haason got another chance to prove his ability.

On the other hand, Mom Raelakia Reddick, a South Jersey native and lifelong Eagles fan, is truly his supermom. She has been a constant source of emotional support. Reflecting to Haason’s journey from the field of Camden Country to the Super Bowl LVII, she said, “It really hasn’t hit yet, like my son is not only going to the Super Bowl, but playing in the Super Bowl. It’s excitement, like, I know that this is my son and I know that last name on the back of that jersey, but that is my son out there giving it his all, and I am losing my mind.”

Such emotional backing and unwavering belief of a mother really serves as a great moral support for a son. Rising above all hurdles, Haason Reddick fulfilling his parents’ hopes and making them proud with his dedication. His path to the NFL wasn’t that easy as well.

Way to NFL was never easy for Haason Reddick

Reddick didn’t have much high school footage. Also, neither Realakia nor Raymond had any experience with football recruiting or college applications. So, he had to work on his own to impress college recruiters. Hassan tells, “They never had the knowledge of the whole process.”

Further, coach Fran Brown, whom Dad Mathews and Hassan knew personally, assisted Haason with those processes. Brown was a graduate assistant at Temple. After high school, he went to the Temple, but he didn’t secure any position. He helped scholarship players practice and was used for blocking drills. “They use you for blocking drills. You’re like a football dummy. … Tackling demonstrations, all that kind of stuff,” said Haason. He made it to every level, and remember, without a scholarship! Even Raelakia had to take a loan for his meal card.

After his freshman year, head coach Steve Addazio kicked Reddick off the team. “for reasons I couldn’t even explain,” Reddick says. “I asked him what were the reasons? Tell me? He told me, ‘I don’t have to explain that to you. Get your stuff and leave.” At this moment, Mom knew that Haason would want to return home, but she wasn’t going to let him drop the college, and later, on that situation she said, “I wasn’t shocked, I wasn’t surprised that Haason wanted to come home. We are going to continue what we start. That’s it. That is all.” 

Every dark night leads to a bright morning! After a few days, he received a call. A call from coach Brown. Brown told him, “Hey, listen, the old coach, he left. New coach coming in, I know him. I’m going to get you back on the team. We can use your talent.”

Later he moved to edge rusher and was first-team All-AAC, as a senior, and eventually made his debut to the NFL. He got drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the first round of the NFL Draft 2017 as the 13th pick. His journey is of great parental support with grit and determination.