Like most football fans, Kyle Hamilton fell in love with the game when he was just 3 years old, as shared by his mom. Jackie Hamilton was surprised when his son remembered that the minimum age for playing football was 6. Re-visiting those childhood days, Jackie shared, “On the morning of his 6th birthday, he came into my room and said, ‘OK Mommy, I’m ready to play football now’. He hadn’t mentioned it to me for three years. But that’s Kyle. When he sets his mind to something, he’s serious.”

Well, the 23-year-old has already established himself as one of the key players for the Ravens since his debut in the 2022 season. Playing as a safety, Kyle took home the PFWA All-Rookie Team in his debut campaign. While his performances went up a notch after Hamilton secured his first Pro Bowler status last season. Born in Heraklion, Greece, to Jackie and Derrek Lamont Hamilton, the Ravens’ safety had sporting capabilities running through his blood.

Even though his mother was a professional painter turned human resource manager, Hamilton’s dad was a profound basketball player. Positioned as a small forward, Derrek was drafted by the New Jersey Nets in the 1988 NBA Draft. But he never got his dream of playing in the NBA fulfilled, while progressing his basketball career through European leagues.

What makes Hamilton’s family more special is their diversified ethnicity, as Derrek is Black, while Jackie is Asian. Although his mother is from South Korea, Kyle proudly flaunts his Asian ethnicity when he showcased the South Korean flag on his helmet for an international diversity event hosted by the NFL. Coming back to Baltimore, Hamilton, with his father and brother, Tyler Hamilton, recently opened doors to a renovated Hamilton Family Weight Room at St. Frances Academy.

They replaced the outdated facilities with new equipment, ceilings, and fresh paint. Sharing his thoughts after the refurbishment, Derrek claimed, “I’m pretty sure we’ll get a lot more people to help these kids out because it’s a staple of Baltimore. They have put out amazing athletes, and I think St. Frances should be shining.” Well, Derrek hasn’t stopped there as he continues to support Hamilton’s career in the NFL alongside Jackie.

Meet Kyle Hamilton’s parents, who continue their unconditional support of his NFL career

Jackie and Derrek continue to support their son during every home and away game the Ravens play. However, his mother continues to feel surreal seeing her son making waves in the NFL. Sharing her thoughts, Jackie expressed, “Kyle’s father and I divorced when Kyle was very young, and I was always stressing academics. I was trying to raise men. They heard what they needed to hear, not what they wanted to hear.”

However, Hamilton’s father often praises his son for the impact he has on his life, stating, “I’ve learned a lot from my son. He’s helped me become a more mature father. I really respect him.” Derrek also supported his son’s choice of playing for Baltimore. Remembering the NFL Draft night in Las Vegas, Derrek, on a Twitter Space hosted by Blue & Gold, stated, “I think Kyle fell in the right place. We pretty much wanted him in Baltimore.”

Adding to his story, Derrek also mentioned wearing purple socks at the draft while anticipating his son being picked up between No.7 and No.14. When asked whether he was tensed about the situation for his son, Hamilton’s father said, “Some things you just sit back and chill and what happens, happens. I think that’s Kyle’s mentality as a person. He’s really laid-back.” 

Well, Derrek might not be wrong about his son, as Kyle Hamilton’s NFL career is off to an explosive start. With multiple accolades already to his name, he has cemented his place in the Ravens’ defense. As Baltimore is looking to make the playoffs yet again this season after falling short against eventual champions, the Chiefs, in the AFC Championship game.