Before Anthony Adkins was bulldozing defenders or rocking that blue and gold at UCLA, he was just a southern kid with a whole lot of heart, a pair of firestarter parents, and a dream that started in the backseat of a family car headed for West Point. The stats don’t show this part—there’s no box score for the sacrifices made, the midnight talks, or the prayers whispered on the road to Reception Day. But trust—behind this 6’3″, 245-pound tank of a running back is a power duo you need to meet: Tony and Latonya Adkins.

Who are Anthony Adkins’s parents?

Let’s make this real clear—Anthony Adkins didn’t just roll out of bed strong-willed and hard-bodied. That comes from the folks back in Hodgenville, Kentucky: Tony and Latonya Adkins. These two don’t do the whole “center of attention” thing, but their presence? Oh, it’s loud in the background of every major move Anthony’s made—from West Point to Westwood.

Tony, the proud father, has long been the steady voice in Anthony’s corner. From the Army send-off to their UCLA sideline moments, he’s always been there—quiet but present, like the bass line in a gospel song. And Tonya? She’s the heartbeat of that operation. Not just mother. We’re talkin’ glue, compass, and spiritual advisor all rolled into one. No official job titles out there in the open, but they’ve both been full-time in one role since day one: building up a future leader.

No word on any siblings, but from the way Tony and Tonya pour into Anthony, you’d think he was their entire solar system. Even the family road trip to West Point in 2019 felt like a cinematic farewell. They weren’t just dropping their son off—they were delivering a legacy to the front gates of service, football, and transformation.

How did Tonya Adkins and Tony Adkins meet?

Now this part’s got a little old-school vibe. While Anthony hasn’t put the origin story of his parents’ love life all the way on blast, we can feel the energy. Southern roots. Kentucky-style hospitality. The kinda love that grows over shared values and real conversations, not apps and swipe culture. Respect, discipline, and a whole lotta faith probably built that bond before Anthony ever laced up a cleat.

Their connection? Strong enough to take them from small-town Kentucky to Time Square lights like it was nothing. During that family road trip to West Point, you could practically hear the love in the air when they made time for a quick NYC pit stop. Tony laughed, saying, “It was awesome showing my wife around. We’ve been talking about taking a trip to New York City for a few years now and we finally made it.” And Tonya? She was soaking in every bit—even if Pride Parade traffic had them double-checking’ their GPS. That trip? It was just another chapter in their ride-or-die story.

What is the ethnicity of Anthony Adkins’s parents?

Anthony Adkins proudly identifies as African-American, and that lineage flows straight through Tony and Tonya. From Kentucky roots to national service ambitions, they’ve raised their son steeped in culture, strength, and southern tradition. There’s a quiet pride in how they carry that identity—not performative, not flashy—just real and grounded.

Inside Anthony Adkins’s relationship with his parents

Now here’s where it gets personal. If you wanna know what Anthony Adkins is made of, just look at how he talks about his people. From day one, he’s put them front and center—not in clout-chasing interviews, but in real moments. When he talked about his Army commitment? He said it straight: “There was a lot of long talks with my family. I want to do something bigger than myself.”

Even when the decision to step away from West Point came into play, Anthony didn’t move alone. Talks with Tony and Tonya weren’t just a formality—they were a family huddle. “The moment I felt like my heart wasn’t 100% in it,” Anthony said, “I was like, ‘I’m doing a disservice to everybody here.’” That’s not something you say unless you were raised on accountability, not ego.

The bond with his dad, Tony, runs deep. Tony told reporters how proud he was watching his son step into manhood, saying, “I’m proud that I have a son who is willing to serve his country… who understood the value of this opportunity.” That’s a father who’s not just clapping from the bleachers—he’s walking every step mentally with his boy.

And Tonya? She’s the quiet force. The one Anthony leaned on during the uncertainty of transfers, injuries, and spring setbacks. When they arrived at West Point all those years ago, she told her son, “Go be great, kid… you’ve always had the ability, the grades, the support system—now you have the platform.” Chills, man. That’s real mother energy right there. The world knows Anthony Adkins as the fullback with Army discipline and a UCLA badge. And as 2025 rolls in, don’t be surprised when No. 42 finds the end zone and points to the sky. He knows exactly who got him there.