When it comes to track and field sports, few names evoke as much excitement among the fans as Sha’Carri Richardson. The former LSU Tigers star is on the cusp of making history with her explosive personality thrown into the mix, and voila, Richardson’s popularity shouldn’t be a difficult thing to comprehend. While the 24-year-old’s emphatic world-leading sprint at the US Team Trials is justifiably making fans place their faith in her, she isn’t the only one who’s promising to make the upcoming Olympic Games a titillating affair.

Along with the athletes, iconic rapper Snoop Dogg was frequently chanced upon by the cameras at Eugene’s Hayward Field last month at the trials. As the West Coast legend was seen mingling with Richardson’s grandmother and even with Noah Lyles’ mom, fans couldn’t help but speculate about the enticing conversations they could be having. And now, it’s the gangsta rap veteran himself, who shares the deep connection he’s forged with the athletes’ kin.

Sha’Carri Richardson’s family opens its arms to Snoop

In a YouTube video uploaded by Access Hollywood hours ago, Snoop talked about how he’s looking forward to his new role as an NBC correspondent at this year’s Olympics. While the icon’s Noah shirt stole the show at the official Olympic photoshoot and turned a lot of heads yesterday, Snoop showed up in an equally fashionable shirt sporting the face of Sha’Carri Richardson for the latest interview. Along with proudly showing off his love for the reigning women’s 100m world champ, Snoop also spilled the beans on how he’s become fast friends with Richardson’s grandmother too.

Betty Harp is one of Sha’Carri’s most vehement support systems and her loudest cheerleader. While not much about Betty’s social life is known, many would be surprised to learn that Snoop is a frequent customer in her call logs. “…me and Big Mama FaceTime. I’m from the hood, so when you could talk to somebody’s grandmama, that’s like the most impressionable thing that can happen,” revealed Snoop with a sort of smile on his face that can often be spotted on world champions after setting a new world record.

“You know, when the grandma love you, you loved by the whole family,” said a beaming Snoop as he hailed the Olympians for their spectacular ways to rise up to challenges. “I just love the fact that these athletes have great backstories and you push for them to win but then you see the support system or the things that they go through to get to where they get and it just makes you fall more in love with them,” confessed the rapper and considering what’s at stake for Sha’Carri, it couldn’t be any truer.

A walk on redemption road

At last year’s World Championships, Sha’Carri won gold in both the 100m events (individual and team relay) to send out a titular message to the world about her determination to take what is hers. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Sha’Carri was restricted from participating because of a failed drug test, and while she later revealed the rough patch of her life which prompted her to succumb to this appalling state of affairs, the opportunity to show the world her worth was missed already. Faced with a severe backlash, Richardson also distanced herself from media attention in order to find her feet once again. But the winds have changed.

2023 was a spectacular year for Sha’Carri. Winning gold at the World Championships, the Doha Diamond League, the US Outdoor Track and Field Championships, the LSU alum made it clear that the Paris Olympics would be where she’d reclaim her throne. So far, things look to be on the right path. While the Jamaican threat is still looming overhead, Sha’Carri’s sensational performance at the US Team Trials should be enough to boost her confidence for the task at hand. But will that be enough to take on the likes of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson at the big rumble? Only time will tell.