Jaret Patterson‘s rise in the NFL is a testament to his skill, but it’s also a story of unwavering family support. At the core of his journey are his parents, Janine and Leroy Patterson, whose influence has been pivotal in shaping both Jaret and his twin brother James.

Born on December 23, 1999, in Glenn Dale, Maryland, Jaret entered the world 20 minutes before James, in a twist that would set the tone for their relationship. “Jaret is so driven, that he pushes his brother like no other can,” Janine recalled to Buffalonews, laughing at the memory of the 20-minute gap between their births.

The Pattersons’ unbreakable bond

From day one, Janine and Leroy’s parenting style was marked by intuition and a deep understanding of their twins’ needs. When the boys cried incessantly in separate cribs, the Pattersons made a decision that flew in the face of conventional wisdom. “Put the twins in the same crib,” they thought. This simple act not only stopped the crying but cemented a bond that would prove unbreakable.

As the twins grew, their parents’ support never wavered. Janine, a high school principal, and Leroy, a supervisor for the Washington Suburban Sanitation Commission, were both former high school athletes. They recognized and nurtured their sons’ passion for sports, starting them in soccer at kindergarten and transitioning to football by age seven.

The Pattersons’ commitment to their sons’ dreams was tested during the college recruitment process. While James received multiple offers, Jaret struggled to attract attention due to his size. It was a challenging time that revealed the depth of the family’s bond. James, unwilling to leave his brother behind, made a bold declaration to college coaches: “If you’re going to recruit me, you’re going to recruit my brother, too.”

This period was particularly tough on Jaret. James recalled finding his brother sobbing in a bathroom after not receiving an offer during a visit to Eastern Michigan. “That’s how passionate he is about the game,” James explained. The twins’ determination to stay together, coupled with their parents’ unwavering support, eventually led them both to the University at Buffalo.

The Pattersons’ impact on Jaret’s career

Jaret’s emotional growth was influenced by just Janine and Leroy. They have raised him with a sense of hard work and an appreciation for quality which continues to shape his approach to the game.

For Jaret’s career, Janine is a lifelong fan of Washington football who insists on being a “fan first.” Her family’s Hall of Fame dedicated to her favorite team sets the bar high for Jaret. In August 2021, she told NBC Sports Washington, “I am a fan first… “He has to earn to be down there…we gotta win some championships and then we have to go back and get a Super Bowl.”

This tough love approach isn’t about being harsh; it’s about pushing Jaret to reach his full potential. Janine’s high standards reflect the family’s belief in continuous improvement and the pursuit of excellence.

This might seem harsh but actually this tough love approach is what pushes Jaret to achieve full potential. By expecting too high standards, Janine shows how committed they are to self-improvement and striving for excellence in all aspects of life.” If he’s gonna be like Rookie of the Year, OK yeah, maybe. Maybe. Maybe,” she admitted when asked about potentially adding Jaret to the wall of fame.

The Pattersons’ influence stretches beyond football. They stressed the importance of education as well as personal development.“Be a coach, be a mentor and help someone else”, Janine would tell her boys. “You can still pass on your passion to someone else.”

As of 2024, Jaret’s NFL adventure is still unfolding. After signing with the Los Angeles Chargers’ practice squad in September 2023, he has been impressing people during training camp. Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman could not contain his excitement: “Then you try to find a crack, a flaw, something, and there’s nothing there,” Roman said. “He belongs. He’s got a great chance to compete. I can’t say enough about him.” This phase of Jaret’s career shows the strong roots Janine and Leroy put down which are constantly making his NFL dreams grow stronger.