You see the 6’5″, 320-pound Buffalo Bills tackle Dion Dawkins as someone who brings enough energy to power up Highmark Stadium. The Shnowman brings more than his excellent professional football skills to the NFL. His story, like the best NFL comebacks, begins with his parents—two hardworking heroes who taught him the value of grit, grind, and getting up at 4. Get ready to explore a story filled with heart as powerful as a Josh Allen last-second touchdown.

Who is Dion Dawkins’ mom?

If you’ve ever wondered where Dion Dawkins’ trademark warmth and charisma come from, meet his mom: Lisa Dawkins. Lisa Dawkins, Dion’s mom, is the ultimate MVP (Most Valuable Parent) off the field. Imagine this: you’re juggling a job at the Newark Airport’s baggage department, like a real-life Tetris master, while raising five kids. That’s the kind of strength Lisa possesses. She’s the airport’s Wonder Woman, ensuring luggage reaches its destination safely, all while making sure her children have everything they need to thrive. Lisa started her morning by driving 35 minutes to her job at United Airlines baggage services. She has worked there for 20 years while her son Dion displays similar determination on the football field.

According to Dion, his mother is his main support system because she maintained her dedication to work throughout her life. “My mom’s my rock,” Dion says. “She’s been working hard her whole life. And let me tell you, she’s tougher than some of the defensive linemen I face.”

Lisa shows the same level of dedication as she demonstrates strength. She handles tough circumstances better than most people yet she continues to show up at work. When the pandemic hit, she continued working as a baggage handler and worried about taking COVID-19 to her household. Under pressure, Lisa showed the experience of someone who has been through it many times and was his cheerleader throughout.

“My parents’ work ethic rubbed off on me,” says Dion. “They showed me that nothing worth having comes easy. So, whether it’s shoveling snow or blocking Von Miller, I’m giving it everything I’ve got.”

Lisa is a strong woman who made her son Dion into the person he has become, “She’s a warrior,” Dion says. “She’s the reason I’m the man I am today.” My parents taught me their strong work mentality through their example according to Dion. Shoveling snowblocks Von Miller and I put all my energy into this work.

Who is Dion Dawkins’ dad?

Dion Dawkins’ dad Clifton Dawkins works as a brewmaster at the Anheuser-Busch brewery in Newark, New Jersey. The man who made NFL tackle Dion Dawkins so strong also creates the perfect beer for game day. Clifton has worked for 20 years straight to support his family, consisting of Dion and five other siblings.

“My dad’s like the Tom Brady of brewing,” Dion jokes. “He’s been in the game forever, and he’s still out here putting up MVP numbers.” Clifton worked hard for the Dawkins family in a way no one else can match. Every morning he used to depart the house by 6 am and stay at work so long that Dion didn’t see him until dawn. But Clifton made sure his family understood the why behind his grind.

“Even though I wasn’t always around, I wanted my kids to know it was for them,” Clifton says. “Every shift, every hour, it was all to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table.” Dion took that lesson to heart. His dad’s devotion to the family showed him the importance of working hard which then drove his achievements both on and off the football pitch.

“My parents’ work ethic rubbed off on me,” Dion says. “They showed me that nothing worth having comes easy. So, whether it’s shoveling snow or blocking Von Miller, I’m giving it everything I’ve got.”

Where did Dion Dawkins grow up?

Dion lived in Rahway New Jersey where large snowstorms taught him essential life skills during his childhood. After becoming a snow-shoveling entrepreneur at 15, Dion started his business. Every morning before sunrise he and his snow-shoveling buddies Giovanni and Ruben put on winter gear and went to work with shovels.

“We had a whole business model,” Dion recalls. “Walkways were $20. Driveways were $30. If your car got buried by the snowplow? That’d run you $50. And we’d split it three ways. Back then, $25 felt like $500.” Instead of building a snow fort and sleeping late like other kids, Dion and his team worked hard. He wanted more than just money since the earnings also helped him build his PlayStation games library but he learned the value of working hard and making money through his efforts.

Through his career and local community work, Dion Dawkins puts all he acquired from Lisa and Clifton into practice. Dion uses his football skills to shield Josh Allen and operates his charity organization— Dion’s Dreamers to help others. Through his foundation, he helps children who need support because of their financial problems emotional challenges, and physical disabilities. He picked up this habit from his parents who showed him how to help others. Through his words, Dion explains his parents taught him to make things better than he found them which drives his actions in football and community work.

So, next time you see Dion Dawkins pancake a defender or flash that infectious smile, remember where it all started. His parents raised him in Rahway New Jersey by showing him that true greatness comes through hard work one snow shoveling session at a time.