The Nunez-Roches family once had to collect rainwater to get something to drink. With much fewer amenities, where they hadn’t seen any running water, Rakeem Nunez-Roches and his family, including his single mother’s lives were reportedly penurious. However, it was his mother, Nancy Nunez-Roches’ support, that today the Giants nose tackle is making his mark in the league.

Born on July 3, 1993, to Army veteran dad and single mother, Nancy Nunez-Roches, Rakeem Nunez-Roches is a Dangriga, Belize native. Other than Rakeem, Nancy is also the mother of son Raul Roches and two daughters, Reesheda and Rashada. Her husband, who served in the army, is no more. While recalling his words once on April 3, 2016, during his younger brother’s pinning for E6 in the Army, Rakeem, along with the video, wrote: “Where do I start? We got it out the mud Big bro. Pop died and we still in stride, head up chin high. He said, “May the works I’ve done speak for me.” Well, it’s shouting Pop’s ya baby boys just want to make you proud.”

Hence, despite their father being no more, the Nunez-Roches children are creating waves in their lives, making their father and momma proud. Besides these, there is no other information available about Rakeem’s dad, as he wasn’t in the picture when the athlete and Nancy were facing financial troubles. After Nancy’s husband’s death, the single mother took then 8-year-old Rakeem to her sister and sister’s husband’s place to reside for the time being.

Nevertheless, despite their struggles, Nancy always leaned on her Garifuna heritage for strength and taught her children to speak in “Afuyeni,” the language spoken in Belize. Besides that, she even raised Rakeem Nunez-Roches with Catholic values, always reminding him how lucky they were, even though they had been through really tough times.

There were times when they had to live in their car during hard times, looking for food and water from somewhere. They even lived “near military bases in California, Colorado, Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama.” Nevertheless, as the two shifted with other children to sister’s house in the United States, Nancy reportedly started working as a cashier at a Phillips 66 gas station. There she even worked her way up to becoming the general manager.

Besides supporting him in personal struggles, Rakeem Nunez-Roches’ mother has always contributed to his football journey. While thanking his mother for everything on her birthday in May 2020, Rakeem shared a few snaps of himself and Nancy, writing, “Happy Mother’s Day Ma Dukes!! Thank you for everything. I (heart emoji) U #Thankful” in his Instagram caption. Now his thank you for everything definitely includes the incident when he was feeling extremely low, after the Chiefs released him from the team in 2016.

Rakeem Nunez-Roches’ mother, Nancy Nunez-Roches, was ready to fight for her son!

On 17 September 2016, Rakeem Nuñez-Roches was released by the Chiefs. And as it’s natural to feel disappointed in such situations, Rakeem too felt lonely. This turn in his life made him cry, and hence, he remembered one person who always has his back – Nancy Nunez-Roches. Rakeem immediately gave a phone call to his mother, Nancy, and  inform her about everything. And guess what? Like other strong mothers, Nancy too showed her strength to help her child, and even decided to be with him and talk to the authorities after his release, even though she was very far away.

At that time, Nancy was in Alabama, and while speaking to her son, she said, “If you need me to come out there, I will. It’s 16 hours, but I’ll get on the road, or I’ll catch a plane or whatever, but if you need me there—I’m on my way.” Yes! Nancy was ready to drive 16 hours when he was being released from Chiefs. Nevertheless, now Rakeem Nuñez-Roches is on the Giants team, living his stardom life, and his mother is nothing but happy for him.

Besides all these, Rakeem Nuñez-Roches and his mother Nancy Nunez-Roches also serve at several charitable programs which aim at providing for the underprivileged. For instance, they have delivered food, clothes and other necessities to Hattiesburg-area homeless. While recalling one of the incidents, Rakeem said, “Last year, it was three little girls and, oh, it broke my heart. Because I could see me in them.”  Having gone through a severe phase, Rakeem knows the value of a home, food, and water. Hence, with these organizations, he and his mom help people to overcome their battles. As Rakeem mentioned, “I’m really blessed for where I’m at now. Just looking back on what we’ve been through. (But) everything from my past made me who I am today.”

Kudos, to this mom & son duo!