“I want to thank my parents for their continuing support throughout the years.” Jonathan Mingo’s shoutout to his parents, John Mingo and Toja Mingo, ain’t just lip service—it’s the pulse behind this Mississippi star’s rise. Every catch, sprint, and game-day high’s been fueled by his parents’ belief in him—and the Ole Miss wide receiver’s beyond grateful for that. 

Growing up, Jonathan wasn’t just chasing football dreams on-field—he was chasing his big brother, David Johnson. David, from John’s previous marriage, was a football standout himself. Nine years older than Jonathan, David set the bar high (real high!) “David’s made big contributions to each of his teams,” says the 23-year-old WR. Watching his older brother make waves in the sport fueled Jonathan’s own football fire. And nope, this wasn’t happening in some posh suburb but in the grit and grind of Memphis, Tennessee, where John and Tonja raised their boys.

John and Tonja Mingo knew they had a special kid on their hands. The Ole Miss WR’s journey wasn’t without its bumps—injuries, setbacks—but his parents were there every step of the way. The Mingos instilled in him the discipline to excel not just on-field but also in the classroom (the kid’s got a brain, too). Jonathan made honor rolls: SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll, Chancellor’s Honor Roll, you name it. That’s the kind of upbringing John and Tonja provided—one that balanced football with education.

And the love runs deep. On IG, the Panthers’ WR gave a sweet shout-out to God and his peeps: “I wanna thank God for blessing me with this amazing journey. Next, I’d like to thank my parents, my brother, family, and friends for their support throughout the years. To my teammates, thank you! I’m forever grateful!” These aren’t just words—they’re a badge of honor for the young wideout’s parents, John and Tonja. Those long drives, late-night pep talks, and myriad sacrifices? All part of the wild ride to their son’s NFL Draft.

Now that Jonathan’s about to go pro, you can bet his parents will be right there, front and center, cheering louder than ever. And that’s the magic of the Mingo family—where football ain’t just a sport but a legacy.

Meet Panthers’ rising star: Jonathan Mingo

Jonathan Mingo’s rookie year’s been anything but average. After smashing into the infamous rookie wall, Carolina WR’s now powering through it with some killer stats. The past few games? A solid 10 catches for 129 yards—quite the comeback from a rough stretch where he barely scraped 31 yards over three games.

Mingo’s taking the shift from college to the NFL in stride. “I ain’t got to worry about class no more. So that takes the stress off,” he joked. Without the academic grind from his Ole Miss days, he’s diving into recovery and self-care like a pro. “I take care of my body better now,” he asserted, giving a nod to the massages and chiropractic work that are now his secret weapons.

With the December chill setting in, Mingo’s embracing the cold weather and his new role. “Just trying to enjoy football, my family, and finish the season strong,” the wideout alluded. It’s clear: Mingo’s navigating his rookie season with a mix of grit, gratitude, and cool confidence, ready to crush it on-field.