“What motivates me is I love taking a grown man’s dreams and crushing it,” Ben Powers earlier stated. It showcased that he is taking inspiration from his dad, Todd Powers’ aspirations to accelerate his athletic career. With his sporting dad and mom, Devria Long’s steadfast backing, the NFL guard has established a successful career trajectory.

Since being drafted by the Ravens as a 4th-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft, Powers, 28, stunned many with his NFL accomplishments. He became the primary left guard in 2021 and the full-time starter in 2022. And, after playing 4 seasons with the Ravens, he signed a four-year, $51.5 million contract deal with the Broncos in March 2023. And, of course, his massive deal alone is enough to solidify his status in the league. But, his NFL accomplishments are incomplete without mentioning his parents.

Who are Todd Powers and Devria Long?

The former Oklahoma player continues his family’s athletic legacy with pride and immense joy. Interestingly, the Wichita, Kansas, native was raised by his athletic dad. Todd Powers had the greatest interest in basketball. Impressively, Powers’ dad was a distinguished basketball player at Friends University. It was him that molded athletic ethics and discipline in Ben since his early days.

Not only do Ben Powers’ athletic feats have his dad’s support but also his mom’s. Devria Long is his greatest cheerleader. There is limited information available about her personal background. But when Powers clinched the state tournament for the first time, Devria adored his attitude.

“One time he told me that he loved having the dual come down to him because then he knew we were going to win. I loved that attitude. I don’t know if I’ve ever had a kid that wanted the pressure and wanted the moment and seized it like Ben did. He just blew my mind.” Thus, his parents’ toughness helped Ben achieve his football aspirations. Back in 2018, when the Oklahoma player earned the All-American honor, he reflected on how his hard upbringing helped him to shape his athletic career.

As mentioned in the Oklahoman’s report published back in December 2018, Ben’s dad started giving athletic lessons when he was in just fifth grade. “He’d be telling me to crush their teeth in. I’m serious,” he recalled.

Impressively, his grandfather, Bob, a Ralph Miller’s Wichita State basketball player also made significant contributions to his journey. No wonder that his hard-nosed attitude comes from his family. Even his aunt and uncle play basketball. But, despite growing up in a basketball family, he built his own path towards the NFL trajectory.

How has Ben Powers been able to carve his NFL career in a basketball household?

Initially, Ben did want to become a basketball player, just like his dad and grandfather. But, a refusal from his high school coach set him on his serendipitous path to the NFL. As per a Wichita Eagle report, published back in 2019, Powers reflected on his struggles to achieve his football aspirations. “To hear, ‘No, we don’t need you’ was tough, but if he didn’t tell me that, honestly I don’t think I would be here talking to you,” he remarked.

After not getting a spot on the basketball team, Ben joined the Kapaun’s wrestling team. And, wrestling made him a dominant football player. Earlier, his dad disclosed that his grappling skills as a wrestler helped him to take off as an offensive lineman.

“Wrestling made him, I’m a firm believer in that,” Todd Powers iterated. “Wrestling teaches you to not be afraid and I believe it gave him the emotional strength he needed to go into these battles,” he continued. “Competing in wrestling is how Ben learned to win those 1-on-1 battles on the football field,” his dad stated further.

Back in 2019, when the Ravens selected him, his dad exhibited his emotions. Enthralled at the moment he said that his son was the perfect fit for the team. “He has the exact kind of personality that would fit with them. He’s a killer, he’s a competitor and he’s going to make that organization better by being in the locker room,” he remarked. With his football feats, he has made his family proud, keeping the athletic legacy alive in his own way.