Beckham Jr. took to Instagram stories to share an old photo of himself with his grandmother. The caption read, “Rest easy angel! I love you big momma.” This simple yet poignant message revealed the passing of his beloved ‘Big Momma’, giving fans a rare glimpse into OBJ’s personal life and the depth of his family ties.

This isn’t the first time Beckham’s grandmother has made headlines. Back in 2016, OBJ flew to Temple, Texas, to celebrate her 93rd birthday. He shared a video of the visit, saying, “That’s really where I grew up a little bit. It’s nothing but country out here, horses and all.” The party was a testament to Beckham’s influence – every young boy there had dyed their hair to match OBJ’s iconic style.

For Beckham, family has been the bedrock of his success. He has famously been quoted saying, “I’m a momma’s boy. My mom worked very, very hard to be able to provide everything for me.” But it’s clear that ‘Big Momma’ played an equally large part in shaping the man behind the helmet.

The passing of his grandmother occurred at the same time that Beckham was beginning to settle into his new role with the Miami Dolphins. Fans now wonder how this personal tragedy might impact his performance on the field. 

The Beckham family’s athletic legacy

Look back at the family tree Odell Beckham Jr. grew from if you want to understand how he achieved NFL stardom. Instead of a tree, it’s more like a whole forest of athletic talent.

To begin with, there’s his mother, Heather Van Norman, a four-time all-American on the LSU track team between 1991 and 1993. And when she learned she was pregnant with Odell, she was training for the 1992 Olympic trials

His father, Odell Beckham Sr, was no slouch either showcasing his skills as a running back at LSU from 1989 to 1992. OB Sr. was tough, fast, and resourceful–a winner. Sound familiar?

Beckham Sr. once said about his son’s NFL career, “It’s something that has never happened in my family. The chain has been broken and I’m very ecstatic.” But let’s be real – that chain was forged from pure athletic gold.

So as Odell mourns the loss of his ‘Big Momma’, fans are getting a glimpse of the foundation that built an NFL star. It’s a reminder that behind every touchdown dance and spectacular catch, there’s a family story – one that just lost a vital chapter.