The Washington Commanders have a lot of faith in their wide receiver and return specialist, Olamide Zaccheaus. And honestly, that same trust started with his mom, who believed in him way back when he was a kid. His journey is nothing short of inspirational, though not everyone knows about the tough times he went through growing up.

Who is Olamide Zaccheaus’ mother?

Born to Yimbra Mozimo, Zaccheaus had an abusive father. But Mozimo was a woman of strength. She stood up for her dignity, herself, and her children, putting an end to the domestic abuse. She left her marriage and raised her kids on her own, working 70 hours a week to make it happen. And that’s exactly where Zaccheaus’ work ethic comes from. Watching his mom push through those long hours and sacrifice so much showed him what it means to work hard and never give up. He credits his entire NFL success to his mother. “I’m here because of my mother. She’s the one I learned from about hard work and dedication. ” 

Mozimo kept her struggles to herself and never mentioned them to her kids. When people around her noticed the bruises, they’d tell her to leave Zacchaeus’s father. Finally, she decided she wasn’t going to stay in an abusive marriage just to suffer in silence. She wanted something better for her kids, so she packed her bags and left with the kids. She had to do everything without her husband knowing, so she got some help from her cousins to make it happen.

Mozimo started fresh with her two kids, Olawole and Olamide, in Plainfield, New Jersey. To make ends meet, she worked a part-time data entry job during the day and took on night shifts as a computer operator. When she was out working those night shifts, the boys stayed with a babysitter. One of them would take Olamide and his brother along when her kids played football, and that’s how Olamide first got hooked on the game. Call it fate or luck, but once he started, he just couldn’t stop. Fast forward a few years, and there he was, making his NFL debut with the Falcons in 2019.

All the hard work Mozimo put in finally paid off. What could be more rewarding for a mother than seeing her child reach incredible heights? Olamide Zaccheaus owes it all to his mom. She’s truly a woman of remarkable strength and character.

Where did the Commanders’ WR go to high school?

At the age of seven, Olamide Zaccheaus moved with his mother and elder brother to Magnolia in South Jersey. Olamide completed his high school at St. Joseph’s Preparatory School in Philadelphia. He starred as a defensive back and running back for his high school. Olamide went on to graduate from the University of Virginia with a degree in psychology. His performance in school wasn’t just academic, his skills on the field helped him land a spot to play college football there too.

He wrapped up his college career with 250 catches for 2,753 yards and 22 touchdowns. On top of that, he rushed 79 times for 551 yards and two more touchdowns. He made his NFL debut with the Falcons in 2019. After spending three years with the Falcons, Zaccheaus played a season with the Eagles in 2023 before signing with his current team, the Washington Commanders, earlier this year.

Isn’t his journey remarkable? He got all of us rooting for him. But let’s also take a moment to appreciate the strong woman behind his success – his mom, Yimbra Mozimo. Without her sacrifices and determination, who knows where he’d be today? A shout-out to her for shaping him into the man he is.