“My mom is my queen,” Derick Hall once stated. It indeed showcased his deep sentiments and gratefulness for his mom, Stacy Gooden Crandle. Born prematurely with no heartbeat, the Seahawks linebacker’s mom was the one who never gave up and bravely fought for his life.
With his mother’s immense love and devotion, the former Auburn player survived and carved his path to the NFL. When the Seattle Seahawks drafted him as the 37th overall pick, no one was as proud as his parents.
Who is Stacy Gooden Crandle?
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Derick Hall’s bond with his mom, Stacy Gooden Crandle, is not a hidden factor. She has been his greatest supporter throughout his life journey. However, giving birth to a lifeless baby was not an easy battle for her. From the moment Stacy gave birth to Derick Hall, she courageously battled to save him. He was born prematurely, being merely two pounds and nine ounces on 19 March 2001.
Despite the doctor’s caution to her mom to let nature take its course, Stacy did not sign the “Do Not Resuscitate” forms. Ultimately, he was resuscitated. Previously, in May 2023, in an ESPN Sportscenter video, Derick’s mom’s courage was highlighted. Derick Hall’s mom featured recalling the most horrifying situation in her life.
At the time of Hall’s birth, the medical professionals were pretty sure that they had a 1% chance of saving him from bleeding in his brain and other severe medical issues. However, his mom bravely went against the doctor’s advice for him. And, with a heavy voice and pain in her heart, she remembered this.
“They said he’d never be able to walk or be able to talk,” she continued. “They said he’d just be a vegetable. He’d be 85 percent mentally retarded. He wouldn’t have any quality of life.”
They said ‘we shouldn’t try to save this baby.’ Not only this, but in the same interview, she disclosed her decision that saved his life. “The doctors wanted me to just let nature take its course. We decided we wanted to fight for him. I had to give him a chance,” his mom further remarked.
Clearly, with his mom’s sacrifices and steadfast support, Derick Hall shaped his life trajectory on and off the field. Being born with a 1% chance of surviving, Derick Hall is the definition of defeating the odds.
How has Derick Hall’s mother been the biggest supporter to her son?
Derick, now 6 feet, 3 inches tall, and 250 pounds, never fails to credit his mom’s advocacy and support. In a report published by Daily Citizen in May 2023, Derick Hall expressed his deep gratitude to his loving mom.
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“She is everything to me, how hard she worked raising two kids by herself at first, working two or three jobs. She’s my Superhero,” he continued. “She’s my Wonder Woman. And, she’s the person who kept me living,” the NFL LB added.
Undoubtedly, without his mom’s support, Derick Hall’s athletic career wouldn’t have succeeded. Despite having medical complications in his early years, he astonished everyone with his football skills at just age 4. Even when his mom, Gooden-Crandle, and dad Cedric Crandle saw him first, they were less inclined about his athletic journey. But, later on, his physical illness became his biggest strength that even kept him inspired him throughout his life.
As per the NR report published in April 2023, Hall’s mother shed light on his football love during an interview with Auburn Undercover. Stacy Gooden Crandle revealed that her NFL son even never allowed his health problems to stop him.
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“He loved football. I got the coach’s inhalers; I kept one in my purse. Everybody had one just in case he needed it. He’s just a fighter. I always encourage him to just keep being him,” his mom asserted. It indeed showcased his mom’s support throughout his athletic journey, as 22 years later he is making a name for himself, which his mom calls “a bonus.”
Despite suffering from asthma or respiratory syncytial virus every winter, Hall never broke down. Impressively, he has established his name in the football world. From excelling at Auburn as an All-SEC edge rusher to becoming a Seahawks player truly demonstrates his perseverance. And, truly, his life’s milestone achievement is incomplete without mentioning his mom’s support.
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