“I’ll go to college and be an NFL player!” As De’Vondre Campbell recorded his dream statement with News-Press in 2015, he made it come true. Across his journey, his parents, Cathryn and Luther Campbell have played important roles. Playing as a linebacker (#59) for the San Francisco 49ers, he has now accumulated nine years of NFL experience altogether. With his domineering physique, as he stands 6’4″ tall and weighs 232 lbs, he is crucial to the 49ers’ defense.

With significant milestones in his career, like his standout season in 2021 with the Green Bay Packers, and his nomination for the 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, he is truly a standout athlete. And, for whatever he is today, one cannot oversee the sacrifices of his parents, who support him through thick and thin.

Who are Cathryn and Luther Campbell?

Growing up in Harlem Heights, Florida, De’Vondre always had the steadfast support of his parents. His mom, Cathryn Campbell is a major source of inspiration for him. However, things were never easy for her due to various health scares. Besides being a breast cancer survivor, she also faced a heart attack in 2015 when she was attending one of De’Vondre’s college games in Minneapolis. Regardless, she has always been hopeful, just for her son.

In the early years, she wanted De’Vondre to focus mostly on academics over sports. When he was in fifth grade, De’Vondre remarked that he wanted to go to the NFL. As stated in an interview back in 2017, Cathryn was clear about how she wanted her son to proceed forward in life, remarking, “If that’s your dream, go to school, graduate, and get a degree first.” And, because of that, even beyond football, De’Vondre earned a business and marketing degree at the University of Minnesota.

When things were tough at home, De’Vondre’s dad, Luther Campbell was the one who helped maintain a stable environment. He worked in maintenance for the Boston Red Sox’s spring training affiliate in Fort Myers, Florida, allowing his son to pursue his ambitions with all focus.

De’Vondre never fails to acknowledge the impact of their supportive roles. Even his coach Jerry Kill at Kansas State highlighted the role of his family in the same interview, stating, “I got a chance to meet his family. And meeting his family tells you a lot. You can tell he was a good kid,” as he has always been honest and loyal.

How has De’Vondre Campbell been able to outshine in his NFL career?

Indeed, De’Vondre’s family has played an important role in helping him actualize his NFL dream. And, honoring his mom, he wears the jersey number #59, as she was born in 1959. As highlighted in the 2017 article by Naples Daily News, he explained his decision, stating, “You’ve been riding my back all these years… That’s why I’m putting that number on my back, to remind me of you.” It made Cathryn shed happy tears, as he further commented, “I’d rather be a momma’s boy than nobody’s boy.”

This profound respect stems from the fact that even though the football opportunities were quite scarce, she asked him to stick by it. The same article by Naples Daily News notes her statement, “You’ve got to start from somewhere. If it’s meant for you to get farther, you will. Somebody will discover you one day,” she assured him.

When he was drafted, she did not fail to express her gratitude to the Almighty, stating, “Thank God for you being on my back all these years.” Her deep faith that she passed on to her son and her strength, indeed, has helped De’Vondre to keep track of his goals and fulfill them.