Life did not start easily for San Francisco 49ers LB Dre Greenlaw. His birth parents had unstable jobs and 12 children, and the football dream was far from becoming a reality. But everything changed for him after he was adopted. Let us look back at Greenlaw and his adoptive parents.

Greenlaw’s grit and perseverance are often displayed on the field. But his unstable upbringing will provide hope for many. While he has a chance to shine a spotlight on the Kansas City Chiefs at the Super Bowl.

Dre Greenlaw was not an easy child

Greenlaw was in a group home in Fayetteville when his adoptive father was in town. Brian Early was appointed as defensive coordinator at Fayetteville High School in 2009. Two years later, he and his wife, Nancy Early, took the 14-year-old Greenlaw into their house.

Brian became Greenlaw’s first coach and made the future superstar realize his potential. Nancy, his adoptive mother, is a homemaker and avid football fan herself. She welcomed him into the family and he became the sole brother of AJ and Camryn.

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Though they did not formally adopt him, that paperwork was completed in 2018. “We’re Mom and Dad to him. It’s a special relationship”, said Brian after legally adopting Greenlaw. The youngster conveyed similar feelings “Paper or no paper, they’re still my parents”. But what happened to his biological family?

The Greenlaw story

The 26-year-old Niners LB’s birth mother did not have a stable family. While his father was aloof and not involved intricately, thirteen people were living under the same roof. And after Greenlaw’s parents separated, the siblings did as well.

Dre went with his mother at the age of 8, along with 6 other siblings. His mom soon delved into alcoholism. Soon he was getting in with the wrong crowds, and Greenlaw himself had to serve jail time as a minor.

After which he and his siblings were placed in foster care and group homes for several years. Until the present Missouri Tigers’ defensive lineman coach, Brian Early came along. Now, Greenlaw will be shining on the biggest stage of the Super Bowl.

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