Micah ͏Pars͏ons, has quickly risen to stardom͏ as one of the NFL’s most promising talents. A line-backer for the Dallas Cowboys, Parsons ͏burst onto the scene with exceptional performances right from his ͏rookie season. ͏Selected 12th overall in͏ the 2021 NFL Draft, Pars͏o͏ns has already made ͏a name for himself, earning th͏e NFL’s͏ De͏fensive͏ ͏Rookie of ͏the Year. Also ͏not to ͏forget being named to͏ the AP First-Team All-Pro. He’s known͏ for his͏ speed, power, and ability to disrupt plays, making him ͏one of͏ the most feared defenders in the league͏.

Before his NFL fame, Parsons was a standout at Penn State. His early life there was laden with multiple honors, including Big Ten Linebacker of the Year and consensus All-American. As a fresher in 2019, he was named the Cotton Bowl Defensive MVP. But behind his football journey lies a story of sacrifice and resilience, especially from his parents, who played a critical role in shaping his future.

Who are Terrence and Sherese Parsons?

Behind every great athlete are parents who supported them along the way,͏ and ͏for Micah. That support came͏ from ͏Terrence ͏and Sheres͏e Parsons. His father,͏ Terrence, was a ͏U.S. M͏ilitary officer ͏and a͏n avid football ͏lover. He was the o͏ne who introduced Micah to the sport.͏ “He got ͏me into pee-w͏ee football,” the line-backer recalls, ͏referring t͏o his early days unde͏r co͏ach Charles ͏Chisholm. Fat͏her Pa͏rson͏s not only nurtured h͏is son’s love for foo͏tball͏ but ͏also t͏ook on͏ the role͏ of his ͏coach at Ha͏r͏risbur͏g District Sc͏h͏ool. Beyond the field, he ͏ran a no͏n-profi͏t͏ organization dedicated to ͏helping underprivileged kids, showing his passion for both football and givi͏ng back.

Sherese Parsons, Micah’s mother, was the glue that held the family together, especially when Terrence was away on military duty. A strong and determined woman, Sherese took care of their three children, Micah being the youngest. Her crucial role in ensuring her kids stayed focused and driven cannot be overstated. Micah’s older brother, Terrence Jr., and his sister, Shatara, have also pursued their paths, with Shatara having played basketball for the California University of Pennsylvania.

But the road to the 25-year-old’s birth wasn’t easy. His mother already had two children when she found out she was pregnant with Micah, and wasn’t sure if she could afford to have another. “It’s actually a crazy story,” Micah revealed. “I don’t think I’ve ever told anyone this before.” Mother Parsons considered abortion due to the financial and emotional strain, but ultimately decided to have him. It was a decision that would go on to change NFL history forever.

How a divine call saved Micah: The story behind his near-abortion

The America’s team linebacker almost didn’t exist! Hard to believe right! Micah Parson’s parents faced a tough decision during Sherese’s pregnancy. With two children already and working two jobs to make ends meet, mama Parsons wasn’t sure if she could handle another child. To add to the stress, Terrence was in and out of their lives, leaving her to shoulder most of the responsibility alone. “I was like, ‘I’m already struggling’,” Sherese recalled. “I told his dad, ‘I think I’m going to the clinic.’ I was really thinking about it.”

You know life is full of surprises- something remarkable happened, something Sherese believed was no coincidence. Out of nowhere, Sister Hall, a woman from her church, called. No one but Terrence knew about the pregnancy, yet Sister Hall sensed that Sherese was hiding something. When Micah’s mother admitted she was contemplating abortion, the Sister talked her out of it. This divine intervention, as Sherese saw it, changed everything. “That’s why my mom always said, ‘God looks over you, son’,” Micah shared. He added, “It was one of the first lessons she taught me.”

Beyond that miraculous phone call, the mother also had a dream that solidified her decision. She dreamt of the name Micah, which she felt was a sign that her son was destined for something bigger. “It always seemed like I was brought into this world to do something bigger than just play football,” Micah remarked.

It’s a powerful reminder that sometimes, the toughest choices in life can lead to incredible outcomes.

How Parsons’ support system fuels his NFL journey

Micah Parson’s success on the field, is fueled by the love and support of his family. After the Dallas Cowboys drafted Parsons in 2021, he didn’t move to Texas alone. His mother, and close friend-turned-brother, Da’ron Jennings, packed up and moved with him. It’s clear that family is at the core of everything Parsons does.

“They mean everything to me,” Parsons said, referring to his family, especially his three-year-old son, Malcolm. Parsons is incredibly close to his mom, who still manages some of his personal finances. “She still pays some of my bills,” he laughed. That connection with Sherese runs deep—her pride is obvious as she reflects on her son’s achievements. “When the kids see him, they act like he’s a celebrity… I guess maybe he is now!” she joked.

Beyond his mother’s support, the player also has a strong relationship with his father. His dad’s wisdom helped shape his perspective on life, teaching him valuable lessons that extend beyond football. Whether it’s talking about finances or offering advice on navigating life as a pro athlete, Parsons’ parents have his back every step of the way.

For Parsons, having his family in Texas isn’t just about support—it’s about shared experiences, laughter, and memories from their days in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Their presence ensures that despite his newfound fame, Micah Parsons remains grounded, carrying his hometown pride with him. “It means everything,” he says.