“It’s just fun to join your teammates,” Joe Milton III once said after a preseason game. But for this rising NFL star, the real MVPs have always been off the field – his parents, DeShea Bouie and Joe Milton II.

In the high-stakes world of professional football, where every touchdown is scrutinized and every fumble dissected, it’s easy to forget the unseen forces that shape a player’s journey. For Joe Milton III, those forces come in the form of a customer service rep with an unwavering faith and a truck driver with miles of determination.

DeShea Bouie, born on November 14, 1983, didn’t just raise a future NFL quarterback – she raised an entire team. As a single mother to Joe and his six siblings, Bouie’s home game plan was more complex than any playbook. Her secret weapon? A rock-solid foundation of Christian values that she passed on to her children like a well-executed handoff.

But Bouie’s influence goes beyond Sunday school lessons. As Joe climbed the ranks from Olympia High School in Orlando to the University of Michigan, and finally to the Tennessee Volunteers, his mom was his constant cheerleader. She was there when he completed 4-of-6 passes for 54 yards and a touchdown in Patriots preseason game that had fans buzzing. And you can bet she was beaming with pride when he led the Volunteers to an impressive 11-2 season in 2022.

While DeShea Bouie was Joe’s frontline defense against life’s challenges, Joe Milton II played a crucial supporting role from the sidelines. As a truck driver, the senior Milton may not have been present for every game, but his work ethic and dedication to providing for his family set an example that resonated with his son on and off the field.

Get to know more about Joe Milton III’s parents

Joe Milton III’s path to the NFL wasn’t lined with red carpets – it was paved with his mother’s prayers and his father’s long-haul determination.

DeShea Bouie’s playbook for parenting included more than just X’s and O’s. She quarterback-sneaked Christian values into her children’s lives, attending church together in Palm Beach County, Florida. This spiritual foundation gave Joe the resilience to bounce back from setbacks, like when an injury sidelined him at Tennessee, altering his role on the team.

Joe Milton II taught Joe Jr. the value of putting in long hours and grinding it out – lessons that translated perfectly to those grueling practice sessions and nail-biting game moments.

Take, for instance, the 2023 season opener against Virginia. As Joe led the Volunteers to victory with two passing and two rushing touchdowns, you can bet he was channeling some of that Milton work ethic. And when he scrambled for a 13-yard first down in a preseason game, weaving through the defense for more than 15 seconds, that was pure Milton determination on display.

As Joe Milton III continues to make his mark in the NFL, he carries with him more than just a strong arm and quick feet. He’s powered by the unwavering support of DeShea Bouie, the quiet strength of Joe Milton II, and the love of six siblings who’ve been his first and most loyal fans. In the Milton family playbook, success isn’t just about touchdowns – it’s about teamwork, faith, and never giving up, no matter how tough the game gets.

If the transition from college football to NFL interests you do check out this ES Think Tank episode with Doug Sanders.”