Mark Andrews has the strong backing of his parents. The Ravens star wouldn’t have been where he is without his parents’ constant support. He is currently making waves for his impressive receptions during the 2024 training camp.

After suffering a major ankle injury on November 16, the 28-year-old missed many regular-season games. However, he appears to have healed well and has returned to NFL practice with new energy. Mark’s parents, Martha and Paul Andrews have always motivated him to consistently pursue NFL glory. Let’s dive deep and explore more about them.

The three-time NFL Pro Bowler’s dad, Paul, serves as a urologist but prefers to stay away from the limelight, as his social media account is not active. His mom, Martha Andrews, a real estate manager, also does not like to share much about her personal life publicly. However, the way she supported her NFL son during an adverse situation caught enormous attention.

Andrews’ parents have four children together, i.e., Charlie, Annie, Jack, and Mark. While Jack is also a urologist, just like his father, Charlie is in the real estate business. Mark’s sister Annie is a dentist.

Despite not having an athletic background, Andrews’ family appreciates his passion for football and supports him in following his aspirations. Like other moms, Martha Andrews also had concerns about sending her youngest son to college, but she had another huge concern as well.

The Baltimore Ravens TE’s life has not been easy since his childhood, as he had to face major health issues from the age of 9. Andrews suffers from Type I Diabetes, a disease in which the pancreas does not produce insulin. Yet, it never hindered his gameplay. He patiently battled the illness with an optimistic mindset and his parents’ support.

Andrews’s blood sugar level was 300 mg/dL when he was diagnosed; a typical blood sugar measurement for fasting children is around 100 mg/dL. His parents were devastated. However, Mark never gave up on himself. His mom and dad also admired his determination. “He never asked, ‘Why me?” Martha asserted. His dad, who is also his constant cheerleader, also feels proud of Andrew’s robustness, proudly remarking, “He has an inner strength. He never cried. I did. I cried,” he said earlier.

Previously, in an interview, Martha described the situation, saying it was “a learning process for all of us.” Although Mark continued to participate in sports, he was given insulin injections and had his glucose levels checked 10 to 20 times a day, with his mom and dad continuously on the lookout for dangerous abnormalities.

Martha also shed light on an incident during Mark’s high school gameplay. “If Mark dropped a couple of balls, we knew his [blood-sugar] numbers were off. That just wasn’t him.” She would quickly make her way to the sideline and tell the trainer, “He needs to test.”

Later, Martha herself became Andrews’ medical instructor, saving him over a call during his Oklahoma days.

Mark Andrews’ mom’s role as the NFL star’s medical instructor

Mark Andrews’ mom never wanted to take any chances with his illness. When the TE joined Oklahoma, in a quick move, Martha spoke with the coaches and medical personnel to discuss his situation, urging that Andrews should have a roommate who would be reliable in a crisis. All of that came into play on September 25, 2014, while Andrews was serving his redshirt season. His roommate, Wesley Horky, turned lifesaver for him. In September 2014, following his practice session during Sooners Bye Week, Andrews faced a battle for his life as his Type 1 diabetes worsened.

“He was in a state of hypoglycemia, a severe low in blood sugar levels, and was unresponsive. Lying on his bed, his eyes wide open and staring at the ceiling was Andrews. He was in a state of hypoglycemia, a severe low in blood sugar levels, and was unresponsive. “I was scared,” Horky revealed.

However, it was Martha who pushed Horky to deal with the situation by providing instruction over the call, despite being 1,000 miles apart. “Get the sugar in Mark’s system,” the TE’s mother calmly instructed. “He didn’t even have to chew. Just get the sugar to mix with his saliva.” Ultimately, her tips worked, and Mark survived.

Just like his parents, Andrews is also a reserved person who does not share much about his personal life. However, recently, in May 2024, when his brother Charlie got married, he could not resist expressing his excitement for the couple, as he shared multiple family pictures and congratulated his brother with a cheeky caption. “Congratulations, @charlie_m_andrews & @emilyandrews.realtor!! What a wonderful weekend with two lovely families. And to my lovely lady, @elenayates, I adore you,” Mark wrote, showing the tight-knit bond of his family.

Andrews’ willpower to deal with diabetes and multiple injuries comes from one of his most distinguishing characteristics: competition. The 28-year-old strives for success in all aspects of his life, including athletics, academics, and health.