The NFL superstar Malik Willis has risen above the rank since the beginning of his career, but such actions couldn’t have been possible without his supportive parents.
A native of Georgia, Malik Willis attended Westlake High School in Atlanta before transferring to Roswell High School. During his senior year, Malik had an impressive record of 37 total touchdowns.
Further, such dedication to the sports landed him at Auburn University as a three-star recruit to play college football. Besides the fields, Malik had good grades and graduated in 2021.
The whole time it was for my family… TGFE 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/N9Yl9wejLm
— Malik Willis (@malikwillis) July 6, 2022
Following his significant milestone, Malik Willis wrote, “First person to graduate college in my family, I know I made my parents proud!“
Throughout his career, the quarterback has been open about his parents’ encouragement. Malik added that his NFL career wouldn’t have been possible without their healthy relationship.
Malik’s father, Harold, stated that his son has always faced challenges in life. When the family moved from the Westlake community, Malik shifted from playing for the Lions to the Hornets.
During the 2022 NFL Draft event, Malik walked the red carpet with his parents and shared an emotional moment. As all eyes were on the young player, Harol stated, “We didn’t realize this was real until now.“
@sports.illustrated Family first 🙏 #nfldraft #nfl #football #malikwillis #family #car #viral #foryoupage ♬ original sound – Sports Illustrated
Additionally, Malik has shifted from Auburn as things didn’t work out at the institution. With big schools hitting the player up, he didn’t lack the choices and joined Liberty University.
Despite having to lead without playing on Saturdays and growing up in the film room, Malik turned things around. His records made him a top quarterback prospect in the draft season.
To celebrate his selection in the league, his mother, Shata, added that Malik had a knack for the fields since he was four. She expressed her pride in her baby, who grew up quickly.
NFL Network mistook Malik Willis’ young grandmom to be his mom!
Apart from the obvious work ethic and discipline, fans claim that Malik’s parents left him with good genes. The 25-year-old has been appreciated for his charming looks and fashion sense.
However, the glamour seems to run in the family, as NFL Network couldn’t differentiate between his mother and grandmother. The page addressed his show’s companion as his proud ‘mom.’
Immediately, Malik clarified the confusion and wrote, “That’s my grandma,” with several laughing emojis. Moreover, the NFL Network complimented her looks and mentioned that she looked good for her age.
That’s my grandma 😂😂 https://t.co/pNcD7uuSqz
— Malik Willis (@malikwillis) April 29, 2022
In the same event, the player posed alongside his parents, and fans used the picture to dismiss the issue. However, Malik wasn’t drafted by the NFL during the first round but landed a spot at the Tennessee Titans.
Malik signed a four-year rookie contract with the team on July 23, 2022. Further, many asked him about his plans to spend the rookie money, but Malik responded heartwarmingly.
The player said he doesn’t want to spend the fortune on lavish things like gold chains or watches. Malik mentioned that he wanted to buy his mom a car and planned to move his family to a new home.
This statement further proves that Malik keeps his family close to his heart. He also has a close connection to Christianity and often concludes his posts with TGFE, which stands for “Thank God for Everything.”
In case you didn’t know
- Sources estimate Malik Willis’ net worth is around $2.6 million. His salary cap in 2024 remained close to $985k, exclusive of a rooster bonus, cap numbers, and endorsements.
- With the Green Bay Packers, Malik Willis has led the team to a game-winning drive in Week 8 after opponents departed with field injuries.
- Malik Willis shares a deep connection with his friend Erin Coleman, a 24-year-old with several health complications, including partial blindness.