Rachaad White’s NFL journey indeed stands out! Covering the inspiring journey from Kansas City to being a running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2022 NFL draft, he has indeed made a big leap. And, no one is as proud of him as his mother, Rochelle, who faced multiple adversities to give her sons a good upbringing.
As he grew up in a neighborhood plagued by violence, Rachaad expressed a strong desire to escape. Not just for himself, but for his mother too, who has always sought the best for him. He had a strong drive, as he remarked, “I wanted to show I could do it.” Indeed, he has made a name for himself, by honoring the sacrifices of his mother.
Who is Rachaad White’s mother, Rochelle White?
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Rachaad White grew up in a challenging environment without his father, because of incarceration and addiction issues. However, his mother, Rochelle, tried to give her best. Working two jobs to support White and his three brothers, she focused on their overall growth, including education and athletics.
During the night hours, she worked at the gas station, while at daytime, she took on the role of school bus driver to raise her four boys. And, meanwhile, she also pursued her education, as she went on to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree.
White calls his mother as his “Superwoman,” and definitely she is one. Rachaad also once recalled, “My mom always told me, ‘You can be anything you want to be, but you have to work for it.’” And, he has kept these words of encouragement with himself to push through the ups and downs.
How Rachaad White’s belief in self and mother’s support build his NFL career?
Rachaad’s high school coach, Bryan DeLong, recalled the days he spent with White, as he remarked, “You know his story, going to JUCO, living with eight guys in his apartment, and really betting on himself.” Calling it a true American success story, he adds credibility to his mother Rochelle for raising the four boys.
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Even Rachaad acknowledged the role of his mom, as he stated, “I owe everything to my mom. She worked so hard for us.” As he grew up in a neighborhood where he witnessed murders as a child, he wanted to get out as he remarked, “I wanted more than what I saw around me.”
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As he sought to transfer to a junior college in California at age 18, his mother was his biggest supporter. He recalled, “She believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.” Knowing that his mom was rooting for him, it was what he needed. He further adds, “It was like having an anchor when everything else felt chaotic.”
And, making it to the NFL, he has indeed proved his caliber. As he continues to participate in mentorship programs like Big Brother Big Sisters of America, giving back to society, it reflects the values that his mother has taught him.
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Is Rachaad White's success a testament to the power of a mother's unwavering belief?
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