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The NFL punting game isn’t just about leg strength and precision. Sometimes, it’s about the quiet foundation built at home in Bellflower, California. Behind Cleveland Browns punter Corey Bojorquez lies a family story filled with dedication and steadfast support.

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Corey’s parents, Ivan and Brandy Bojorquez, created an environment where an ordained minister would eventually rise to become one of the NFL’s most dependable punters. The Bojorquez home was always lively. Ivan, who worked as a mechanic, and Brandy raised four children together: Corey and his three siblings, Levi, Moz, and Bela. Each child forged their own path, yet the family remained closely bonded as Corey transitioned from the streets of Bellflower to the grand stages of professional football.

Growing up around his father’s tools, Corey developed a love for cars alongside football. He drives a ’66 Ford Mustang—and when it breaks down, he fixes it himself. “I can do more than most,” he once said with a grin. “But I still don’t know how to bore out an engine or build one from scratch.” That challenge intrigues him. It’s the same hands-on craft Ivan and his brothers once used while building up his uncle’s ’67 Chevrolet Camaro. Classic cars run deep in the Bojorquez bloodline, and Corey dreams of one day mastering the family trade just like his father.

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Corey’s unique punting style—right-handed but kicking left-footed—emerged during those formative years under Ivan and Brandy’s watchful eyes. They witnessed their son balance athletics with academics, eventually earning All-League academic team honors at Mayfair High School.

But the family’s influence reached beyond sports. While Corey refined his punting skills—booming kicks averaging 46.5 yards with a long of 80 yards as a senior—Ivan and Brandy also encouraged curiosity and individuality. That encouragement sparked one of Corey’s most surprising achievements: becoming an ordained minister.

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It started as a teenage whim. One night in high school, Corey was watching “Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory.” The pro skater had jokingly gotten ordained online to officiate his sister’s wedding. Corey thought it would be funny to do the same. He found the Universal Life Church website, filled out the form, and became “Minister Bojorquez.” What began as a joke became an enduring part of his story. A testament to the freedom and support his parents gave him to explore every interest.

That same support carried him through the grind of college football. Ivan and Brandy stood firmly by his side when he began at Cerritos College and later transferred to the University of New Mexico. They celebrated his milestone sophomore season at Cerritos, when he led the nation with a 43.8-yard punting average.

Where did Corey Bojorquez’s parents meet?

Ivan and Brandy first met in the Bellflower community, where they would eventually raise their family. Both of them have deep roots in the area, shaped by the same hardworking spirit that continues to define who they are. They bonded over shared dreams of building something lasting, a family grounded in love, discipline, and purpose.

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Bojorquez has Mexican heritage. However, his family’s diverse upbringing in Bellflower reflects the rich multicultural tapestry of Southern California, even though their specific ancestral roots remain a bit of a mystery.

Inside Corey Bojorquez’s Relationship with His Parents

The bond between Corey and his parents goes beyond typical parent-child relationships. Ivan and Brandy created an environment where their son could pursue both spiritual calling and athletic excellence simultaneously.

Their guidance shaped his character as much as his game. While he dominated on the football field, Ivan and Brandy ensured he remained grounded in his faith journey toward ordination. The family’s academic emphasis proved crucial. Corey earned Mountain West All-Academic honors in 2016, reflecting values instilled by Ivan and Brandy from his early years.

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They’ve been by his side through every twist of his NFL journey. From his signing as an undrafted free agent with the New England Patriots in 2018 to his current role with the Cleveland Browns, Ivan and Brandy have been constant. They watched him break through in 2020, when he led the league with a 50.8-yard gross punting average—a Buffalo Bills single-season record.

Now in his eighth NFL season, the right-handed, left-footed punter still carries the Bellflower values Ivan and Brandy instilled. Their four children are living proof of the lasting legacy they’ve built—a family rooted in loyalty, love, and relentless support, even amid the chaos of professional sports.

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Does Corey Bojorquez's dual path as a punter and minister redefine what it means to be an athlete?

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