Over the last year and more, Odell Beckham Jr. kept his head up as he completed a rigorous recovery process from his gruesome injury during the Super Bowl LVI game against the Bengals. And finally, the coveted wide receiver superstar has a new home in Baltimore. At least for one season. However, it was something more than the pure desire to play football once again that pushed OBJ to make this journey back to the gridiron. So what was his prime motivation?

While Stephen A. Smith expected an answer surrounding shutting his doubters up, Odell had an entirely different reason on his mind this last year. The former New York Giants wideout has a one-year-old son, Zydn Beckham. And he pushes his father like no other.

Why is it important for Odell Beckham Jr. to return to football?

Super Bowl LVI champion Odell Beckham Jr. was without a team ever since winning the title with the Rams in 2022. His recent workouts at Arizona State were enough to convince Baltimore Ravens that the WR has fully nursed his torn ACL injury. The Ravens signed OBJ on a one-year $18 million deal, with $15 million guaranteed. And after a year of watching games from his couch and the spectator boxes, Odell enters a strong Ravens unit with the chance of teaming up with Lamar Jackson, if he stays.

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On being asked if it was the will to play or to prove the haters wrong, Odell said, “I think the doubt used to always fuel me. And it was always a combination of being out and being hungry. I dedicated my entire life to the game of football. And I missed it. And even more than that, just for my son. Like I want my son to see this. Like whatever happens after this year. If I play for twenty more years, I’ll play for twenty. If I got one year, I mean, who knows? It’s all in God’s hands. I just want my son to be able to see his pop play and find some joy.“