Jaret Patterson‘s rise in the NFL is a testament to his skill, but it’s also a story of unwavering family support. At the core of his journey are his parents, Janine and Leroy Patterson, whose influence has been pivotal in shaping both Jaret and his twin brother James.

Born on December 23, 1999, in Glenn Dale, Maryland, Jaret entered the world 20 minutes before James, in a twist that would set the tone for their relationship. “Jaret is so driven, that he pushes his brother like no other can,” Janine recalled to Buffalo News, laughing at the memory of the 20-minute gap between their births.

Who are Jaret Patterson’s Parents?

Jaret Patterson’s story starts with Janine and Leroy Patterson, the two people who shaped his drive long before he stepped onto an NFL field. Fans often find themselves drawn to his family because Jaret’s career has always been tied to the tight bond he shares with his twin brother, James, and the parents who raised them with intention, toughness, and heart. The twins were born in Glenn Dale, Maryland, Jaret arriving twenty minutes earlier, a detail the family still laughs about because of how competitive the boys turned out to be. Their parents didn’t try to mold them into athletes; they simply paid attention, understood their personalities, and supported their passion from the start.

Who is Jaret Patterson’s Father?

Jaret’s father, Leroy Patterson, brought steadiness into the household. He worked as a supervisor for the Washington Suburban Sanitation Commission, but he was also a former high-school athlete with a sharp eye for discipline and effort. He understood how to push without breaking spirits. Leroy didn’t need long speeches; he led with consistency. When the twins cried as babies, he and Janine used instincts rather than guidelines, placing them in the same crib and that tiny decision strengthened a bond that still defines the boys today. As they grew, Leroy managed the chaos of practices, schoolwork, and car rides with a patient kind of commitment. He recognized their competitive streak early and knew when to nudge and when to let them figure things out themselves.

Who is Jaret Patterson’s Mother?

His mother, Janine Patterson, balanced firmness with warmth. She worked as a high-school principal, juggling her demanding job while staying deeply involved in her sons’ lives. Like Leroy, she had a background in sports and knew exactly how to guide two restless boys with big dreams. She was the parent who made decisions quickly and confidently like moving the twins into the same crib and she trusted her instincts even when they went against the usual parenting rules. Janine also had a playful competitive edge, especially as a lifelong Washington football fan. She joked that Jaret would need to “earn” his way onto the family’s football wall of fame, and she meant it. Her tough-love approach wasn’t pressure. It was belief, wrapped in standards.

Jaret Patterson’s Parents’ Support in His Football Career

The Patterson household was built on encouragement and accountability. When the twins were little, Janine and Leroy put them in soccer to burn energy, but the boys switched to football by age seven and their parents followed right along with that passion. They drove them to practices, cheered from bleachers, and kept the brothers grounded when wins or losses threatened their identities.

The recruiting season tested them more than they expected. James collected offers. Jaret did not. His size made coaches hesitate, even though his talent was obvious to anyone who watched him play. The twins felt that imbalance sharply, and one night James found Jaret crying alone after another school passed on him. That moment hit Leroy and Janine hard, but they didn’t let despair sink in. They kept reminding the boys that work beats doubt every time.

James refused to let coaches separate them. “Recruit me, you recruit my brother, too,” he told them. That loyalty, built from years of parenting that emphasized unity over ego, helped them land together at the University at Buffalo.

Even as Jaret entered the NFL world, Janine remained the ultimate realist. She said she’d stay “a fan first,” and that he’d need championships before she even considered adding him to her personal Hall of Fame. Her words weren’t cold. They were motivation — the same kind she’d given him since kindergarten. Leroy, meanwhile, stayed steady, showing up at games with the same quiet pride he’d always carried. Their influence stretched far beyond sports. They told their boys to mentor others, share their gifts, and use their platform for more than personal glory.

Jaret Patterson’s Family Background & Heritage

The Patterson family comes from Maryland, and they hold American nationality. Their heritage is African American, with deep community ties in the Glenn Dale and Prince George’s County areas. Their background is one rooted in education, public service, athletics, and strong family values, a combination that shaped who Jaret became on and off the field.

Jaret Patterson’s journey isn’t a solo climb. It’s the result of parents who understood their sons deeply, who made instinct-driven choices, who pushed for excellence while keeping love at the center. Janine and Leroy didn’t raise just athletes, they raised two young men who fight for each other, who carry humility into every opportunity, and who step forward with gratitude for the foundation laid for them. Jaret’s NFL story is still unfolding, but the strength behind it has already been written in the Patterson home.