Picked by the Eagles out of Tennessee in 2017, Derek Barnett started his first chapter in Philadelphia. Joining them as their first-round pick, Barnett’s mother only had one suggestion for her son, “Don’t even think about buying that brand-new Chevy Tahoe.” Well, putting ink on a guaranteed $12.8M contract at that time. The urge to gift his mother her first car was too much for Barnett to control.

Yes, even after Christine Barnett’s financial suggestions. The then-Eagles defensive end still went ahead and bought the Tahoe. And was quick to express his thoughts behind the purchase, “I was taught to take care of people who helped you along the way before you take care of yourself. She gave us everything we needed. She took care of us the best way she could.” However, it hasn’t been always smooth sailing for the Barnett family.

Although you can still find Christine working at the UPS warehouse even after 3 decades. At one time, she was working double shifts and three jobs to support her family. “That was rough for me. I’m not going to lie. Having three jobs is hard. But I only did that for a short period of time because your body is only going to allow you to do it for so long.” 

Well, Mama Barnett only had eyes for her son and the future she wanted him to have. It was her only motivation to keep working long hours, “My main goal for Derek was to get his high school diploma, go to college, obtain your college degree, and then get out here in your community and be a productive citizen of your community.” But Derek wasn’t alone growing up with Christine. He had his older brother, David Barnett, by his side until a tragedy took him away.

What happened to Derek Barnett’s brother?

Within a year of starting playing in the NFL, Derek Barnett’s brother met with an accident. Going back to 2018, December, David Barnett was declared dead after being involved in a fatal car crash. Breaking the news on December 7, the Metro Nashville Police Department identified the suspect to be Felipe Castelblanco, who was intoxicated at the time. He was having whiskey prior to the crash, where his car collided head-on with Barnett’s brother’s vehicle. This led to David dying on the spot while Castelblanco fled the scene of the crash.

However, he was later charged with leaving the scene without rendering aid or notifying law enforcement about the accident. Derek Barnett, who played for the Eagles at that time, didn’t release any comments, and neither did his mother. But then-Eagles coach Doug Pederson did give up an update to the media: “It’s a tragedy. You think about the family, you think about Derek. He is back in Nashville with his family going through this right now.”

Now, six years after that tragedy, which shook the Barnett family. Christine’s younger son has moved away from Philadelphia. Starting his new chapter with the Houston Texans last season, Derek Barnett would surely have his brother David every time he steps on the gridiron.