The narrative of Los Angeles Chargers safety Elijah Molden‘s NFL journey is incomplete without mentioning his parents! From being a standout at the University of Washington to his transition to the NFL in 2021 with the Titans, his parents’ support has helped him succeed. Be it following the footsteps of his father, former NFL cornerback Alex Molden, or leveraging emotional strength from his mom, Christin, it has helped him stay focused.

With his breakout season in 2023, he recorded a career-high 73 tackles and a pick-six. In 2024, he switched to the Los Angeles Chargers bringing his high football IQ to the fields, along with his defensive skills. And, in whatever he does, he has his parents’ unconditional support.

Who are Alex and Christin Molden?

Elijah’s dad has made a solid name as an NFL star, playing eight seasons as a pro altogether. Being drafted 11th overall in the 1996 NFL Draft by the Saints, he played in the cornerback position. Before retiring, he also gave it a shot with the Chargers and the Lions. Given that Elijah was born in 1999 while his dad played for the Saints, he got early exposure to the game.

On the other hand, Elijah’s mom, Christin Molden, has always been there as his emotional support. She is the backbone of the family. Raising eight children, she developed a strategic approach while parenting them. In fact, she and Alex had built a multi-sport development plan for their children. It includes gymnastics for balance, soccer for agility, and football as well if they harbored interest.

Elijah never misses a chance to show love to his mom. On December 12, 2020, he shared a throwback picture with Christin, writing, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMA! Thank you for your consistent love. I miss your home-cooked meals and bad jokes … see you soon 😭.”

Even Alex is active on his social media handle, cherishing Christin’s support. As they celebrated their 26th wedding anniversary in 2024, he wrote, “26 years riding with this beautiful bookworm whom I’m so blessed to call wifey!.” Christin also posts on her Instagram handle. Back on Valentine’s Day 2021, she posted for Alex, “We met when we were 18 and 19, and it has been more fun than I could imagine, building a family with you—I love you!” It shows the close bond between the Molden family.

How has Elijah’s dad helped him pave his path to the NFL?

Elijah accompanied his dad to the NFL fields from a very young age. As he watched his dad’s interceptions, while spending time in the NFL locker rooms, he met legends like LaDainian Tomlinson, Junior Seau, and Rodney Harrison. And being a football player was all that he wanted.

He remarked, “There wasn’t a day where I woke up and didn’t want to be a football player,” highlighted in ESPN’s article from 2021. Alex never forced him to choose football but wanted him to decide his own course. He even stated, “Just because Daddy played doesn’t mean you have to. But if you do, I got the playbook.”

Once Elijah Molden decided to opt for football, Alex took on the coaching role. From his high school years at West Linn High School to becoming a standout defensive back at the University of Washington, his father has always been there for him. He indulged in deep film study sessions with Alex while reading offensive tendencies and route patterns. And, this led him to the NFL, for which he is ever grateful to his dad!