“Brick by brick,” that’s Greg Rousseau’s mantra, both in football and life. For the Bills’ star, it’s never just about the game—it’s about making those tough calls that leave even the biggest fans guessing. 

Beyond all those decisions that even a game-winning sack couldn’t touch, stand his parents—happy and cheerful. These Hawaiian natives have shaped Rousseau into the very athlete he is today, instilling values that run deeper than football. 

Who are Greg Rousseau’s parents?

“You gotta take your lumps and face reality,” they say—and Greg Rousseau’s parents, Oscal and Anne Rousseau, know that better than anyone. Their story’s the literal backbone of Greg’s journey to the NFL—a saga of sacrifice that started long before he ever put on a helmet.

Oscal Rousseau’s American dream kicked off when he moved from Haiti to the U.S., ready to build a life one wrench turn at a time. As a mechanic with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, Oscal’s job was literally about keeping ambulances and fire trucks in gear—talk about a guy who knows how to handle pressure! Back in the late ’90s, while taking automotive repair classes at Erie Community College in Buffalo, he found himself right near the Bills’ stadium. Little did he know that his son, Greg, would someday suit up for that very team.

Anne Rousseau’s journey’s no less inspiring. She lost her father (a doctor) when she was just four. Yes, that was a breaking point, and she did break—but Anne didn’t let that interfere with her dreams. She went to pursue medicine and became a nurse. Years later, she was a frontline warrior during the COVID-19 pandemic, giving her all when the world needed it most. Her strength and compassion weren’t lost on Greg—it’s clear where he gets his resilience from.

Greg’s older brother, Marvyn Rousseau, was born in Buffalo during the family’s time there and now serves in the Coast Guard in Memphis. As for Greg, he’s the middle child, with his younger brother Jonathan rounding out the Rousseau squad. Despite growing up in Florida, the 24-year-old has some serious Buffalo roots, with memories of his mom’s study years and his dad’s grind in the city shaping his outlook.

With Oscal and Anne Rousseau as his ultimate play-callers, you know Greg Rousseau’s stepping on-field with a game plan rooted in grit and love. But that one year off? Tough call, indeed. 

Greg Rousseau not playing for an entire season

“It was the hardest decision I’ve ever made.” When COVID hit, the Buffs’ DE had a choice to make. A tough one. And that was protecting his family. 

Rousseau hit pause on his final college season (at the University of Miami) not just for his health but to make sure his mom, Anne Rousseau, could step back from the chaos. By opting out, he wasn’t just making a game-time decision; he was calling an audible that changed the entire game plan for his family.

Signing with the power-agent Drew Rosenhaus was like snagging that game-winning pick-six. It fast-tracked the 24-year-old’s journey, landing him as the 30th overall pick for the Bills. More than that, the move allowed his mom to hang up her scrubs at Florida Medical Center’s packed ICU and leave the end-zone of chaos.

“When he signed with an agent, I had my wife stay home, and from there I was able to take care of the bills,” said his dad, Oscal Rousseau. “By him opting out, that gave us an opportunity to have my wife stay home, so she didn’t have to be at the front line of the pandemic.”

For Greg Rousseau, skipping that one season was like taking a knee at the right moment. But when he finally suits up in Buffalo, you know he’s charging out there with a lot more on his shoulders than just his jersey number.