How Did Clelin Ferrell’s Dad Cleavester Ferrell Die? Meet Commanders DE’s Military Veteran Parents

Enlisted in the Army at just 18 years of age, Clelin Ferrell’s mom had “something inside her” which made the athlete proud. Not only that! Even his dad was “the ultimate role model” for the Commanders’s defensive end.

Born on 17 May 1997 in Richmond, Virginia, Clelin Ferrell is the youngest among nine siblings. His dad Cleavester Ferrell died due to cancer. His father and mom Faye Ferrell both served in the military. Hence, instilled their disciplined and Army qualities in them. That’s the reason why Clelin once said, “Military school definitely shaped who I am as a person.”

Yes! The DE went to military school during his time when nobody wanted to go to military school. During an interview in 2019, he said, “No young teenager wants to go to a school where it’s all boys. And you’re in there every day from sun up to sun down, with the dress code and all these rules. Also, you’re taking military history and theology classes.”

However, Clelin Ferrell did because of his parents’s influence. And the result? He revealed that it taught him “discipline and integrity and got me in touch with my spirituality. It also taught me how to be a good teammate. You always hear that you will die in battle without good teamwork. Military school made me a better person, which in turn made me a better football player.”

But it’s not like Clelin Ferrell had a strict culture from the start. According to him, initially, his and his siblings’s lives were as normal as other kids. This is the reason why when his mom started talking about military school sometime when he grew up a bit, he was completely surprised to hear that. But as he mentioned, “I always had a love and respect for the military because of my mom and dad’s service,” he joined the school to be a disciplined and better person.

Aside from his father and mother, Clelin Ferrell’s two brothers and an aunt also served in the military. And it’s the same field he envisions for himself in the future, after his football career. Until then, via Ferrell in 2021, “I’m blessed to come from a family that was willing to sacrifice their lives for our country to allow us to do the things that I love to do and we all love to do.”

Clelin Ferrell paid a tribute to his parents!

Clelin Ferrell’s mom, Faye Ferrell, via Athletic, “served 22 years in the U.S. Army as a staff sergeant who served in Operation Desert Storm.” It was in the same field when she met her future husband, Clelin’s father, Cleavester. Ferrell, on the other hand, served in Vietnam, giving his 24 years to the Army, including two tours in the Land of the Blue Dragon. He was a true model who led his family and stood tall in his community. Both his parents were committed to their country, leaving their children to take immense pride in them. That’s the reason why during a #SaluteToService week three years back, Clelin Ferrell talked about his parents, giving them a tribute for their legacy.

On his Instagram account, he posted a video. There he mentioned that during his Raiders time, he got his first sack in the 2019 season opener against the Broncos. Soon after that, Clelin Ferrell pointed to the sky paying respects to his dad. He said, “It was a special feeling, especially seeing that it was my first NFL game. He passed away when I was about to go into high school, so he never got to see me play high school ball, college, or any of that. It was truly a special moment.”

Hence, he captioned the video, writing, “I’m proud to honor my mom, my brothers, my aunts and uncles and especially my dad, Cleavester Ferrell Sr, known formerly as “Boompa” to our family RIP🙏🏽, during this week’s #SaluteToService game alongside @USAA. Recognizing the tradition & history of Military coins allows me to honor all my family and friends who have served.”

So, seeing his son play at such a great level, it’s sure that Cleavester would be smiling from up the sky!