Who Are Anthony Richardson’s Parents? Meet LaShawnda Cleare, NFL QB’s Mom Who Avoided Her Sons’ Throw to Protect Herself

Anthony Richardson, the quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts, paved the way for his career growth with his selection as the fourth overall pick at the 2023 NFL draft. Attributing his success and growth drive to his mother, LaShawnda Cleare, and his late uncle, Richardson has achieved significant career milestones.

An Elite NFL star never fails to acknowledge his mother’s sacrifices, when alluding to his professional success. The no. 4 pick in the 2023 NFL draft has a significant influence from his mother on his life. His mom realized his potential at a very young age and encouraged him to achieve his ambitions.

A powerful throw predicted Anthony’s NFL fate

Anthony was born on May 22, 2002, in Miami, to LaShawnda Cleare and Will Richardson. He was primarily raised by his mother, and not much information is available about his father. She had him at the tender age of 17, and was Richardson’s primary caretaker after separation from his father.

Richardson’s mother and his uncle, Tanka, discovered his talents at a very young age. Tanka was the father figure in his life, before he passed away when Anthony was merely in sixth grade. It was Uncle Tanka who introduced him to football and its tricks and techniques, since the age of two. He gave Anthony a Nerf football, which he carried everywhere.

The incident wherein Anthony’s mother narrowly avoided her son’s powerful throw was when he was just three. When playing with the Nerf ball outside his grandmother’s house with his mother, he threw it so hard that Cleare had to dodge it. The ball eventually hit the window. As his grandmother, Mildred Newsome, came stomping outside, she couldn’t believe Anthony threw it, given its velocity.

Uncle Tanka had to reconfirm to assert that it was no fluke. He once again passed the ball to Richardson, and little Anthony aced it, shattering the window once again. Tanka knew that he was a big athlete in the making. Anthony has a tattoo of a crowned lion on his forearm to honor his uncle and also plans to have his picture in his draft night jacket’s lining.

Supporting Richardson’s NFL dreams despite financial challenges

Owing to the challenges of a troublesome and violent Miami neighborhood, Cleare shifted to Gainesville, Florida, with both her sons, Anthony Richardson and his younger brother, Corey Carter. Working multiple jobs to provide a good upbringing for her sons, she never relented despite tiresome work hours. One of her notable instances of supporting her son’s dreams is the incident wherein she donated her plasma. With the money she gained, she purchased a $280 Letterman jacket for Anthony’s youth football banquet. Talking about his mother’s sacrifices always makes Anthony emotional.

In an interview, Richardson remarked, “Just seeing how hard she was grinding, I feel like it’s a disservice to her if I don’t put that same effort in anything.” Even during the NFL Scouting Combine and the draft, he reflected upon his mother’s hard work with gratitude in his heart, remarking, “My mom, she doesn’t want me to do anything for her. Because she said it was her job as a mother to take care of me the way she did, and I’m definitely thankful for her and I love her.”

From Gainesville to the University of Florida and eventually the NFL, Cleare has remained a constant source of support for Anthony Richardson. His selection in the 2023 NFL Draft was a silver lining for Anthony’s family. His mother Cleare, along with her husband Ferrell Cleare, son Corey, besides close family members, joined him in Indianapolis to celebrate his selection. The NFL contract came with solid financial security and helped Anthony to get a new home for the family, getting a breakthrough from the hardships.