Who Are Hendon Hooker’s Parents? Meet NFL QB’s Ex-Footballer Father Alan and Mother Wendy Hooker

The Detroit Lions selected Hendon Hooker at No. 68 in Round 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft. What’s interesting is that he was one of the oldest players in the draft at 25 years old. So, what made the Lions select him? Well, it was his incredible dual-threat performance with the Tennessee Volunteers. He passed for 6,080 and 58 touchdowns, while also rushing for 1,050 yards with 10 TDs.

In the NFL, standing tall at 6’4″, Hendon Hooker made his debut with the Detroit Lions in Week 6 of 2024 after missing the entire 2023 season. And he did what was expected of him. In his first game, he led his team to an astonishing 47-9 victory over the Cowboys. This impressive performance surely made his parents proud, especially his father.

Who are Hendon Hooker’s parents?

Born on January 13, 1998, to mom Wendy and dad Alan Hooker in Greensboro, North Carolina, Hendon Hooker is the first son of the couple. Besides him, they share another son, Alston, who is currently playing with North Carolina A&T as a QB. In addition, the couple also has a daughter named Nile. She is the oldest of all and helps Hendon in managing his social media presence and NIL deals.

Hooker’s parents, Wendy and Alan, have been the pillars of support in the athlete’s life, always pushing him to give his best. Wendy has been her son’s coach and manager besides being a mom. She always wants her son to be a better player every day. Probably, that’s because she admires her husband, who also was a footballer.

Yes! Hendon Hooker’s father, Alan, was also a quarterback at North Carolina A&T. And guess what? He earned a spot in the school’s Hall of Fame for his contributions. In addition, Alan attended the NFL combine and even received an opportunity to play in the league through his 1988 draft class. However, before his season began with the Dallas Cowboys as a free agent, Hendon’s father was cut by the team during training camp.

While speaking about it to the Greensboro News & Record in 2015, Alan said, “I think more of my skills would have been considered an asset. I think at that time, teams had really set the offense around the drop-back style. That’s what we were in college, but every now and then we had ability to move the pocket when we got in trouble. But this current particular style is really in tune with what I liked to do.” That must have been a huge disappointment, but he was strong enough to make it through.

Nevertheless, after this, Hendon Hooker’s daddy became the CEO of Alan Hooker Consulting in January 2000 and is also a recruiter for a local school district. According to multiple reports, he also has served in “Officer Leadership Development at Houston ISD” for about 7 years (from July 2013 to March 2020). Despite this, he and his wife have been the biggest cheerleader for their kids.

How have Hendon’s parents helped him in his football journey?

Hendon Hooker owes his entire career to his mom Wendy. This is evident in his Instagram post of 2017, where he revealed his mother’s hard work for him. Sharing a photo with mommy, Hendon wrote, “I remember early mornings when I was real young she used to make me get up at 5:30 and go workout at the Y, she would have me in the gym after school getting up shots and she would be my rebounder. She would make me do three-step drops in the living room. Anything to make me a better player. She had me doing it. I owe my whole career to her. I love you, Mom, to the moon and back.” Indeed, besides being a caring mom, Wendy also gave her entire life to upbringing and the growth of her children. But Hendon’s father was no less, too!

Alan kept on motivating his son on his football journey. For instance, Hendon Hooker was having a dream season. He was on track to be a Heisman contender, leading Tennessee with confidence. But everything changed on November 19, 2023. In a tough loss to South Carolina, he tore his ACL, ending his season and the Volunteers’s playoff hopes. Before the injury, Tennessee was flying high, being undefeated and gearing up for a huge game against Alabama. And guess what? This game was personal for Hendon. Why?

Well, it fell on his dad Alan’s birthday. For this day, Alan didn’t ask for much from his son, but just a win, as he said, “I need that W for my birthday. I need that win.” And guess what happened next? Late in the fourth quarter, Coach Heupel asked Hendon if he wanted to push for overtime or win it now. Hendon didn’t hesitate, as he expressed, “Let’s go end it right now, Coach. I’m HUNGRY.” In the end, Tennessee pulled off the win with a game-winning field goal. He then rushed to his parents, wishing his dad a “Happy Birthday!” For Hendon, after God, his family is the most important for him.