“I want to be great. I want to be ‘The Guy.’ My whole mindset coming here was just trying to be the best that came through here and etch a name for myself.” These are the words of a player who won the Defensive MVP award in the 2020 National Championship Game in college football and was later picked up by the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL. And you know who that player is? The Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen.

Queen’s college career was so impressive that he went 28th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft and landed a jaw-dropping $12.16 million deal with the Ravens. Fast forward to 2024, and now he’s rocking the Steelers jersey. Along the way, he’s earned some serious accolades—Pro Bowl in 2023, Second-team All-Pro, and even made the PFWA All-Rookie Team. Pretty awesome, right?

Hailing from Ventress, Louisiana, the 25-year-old linebacker started out at Livonia High School before putting his football talent on full display at LSU as a Tiger. Talk about crushing it in your early 20s! But, of course, he didn’t get there alone—his parents had his back every step of the way. Fun fact: Patrick’s dad was a football player too, so it runs in the family.

Who are Dwayne and Mary Sue Queen?

Patrick Queen gets his fearless mindset from his dad, Dwayne Queen, who used to play as a defensive back at Nicholls State. Growing up, Patrick got a ton of football advice and guidance from him. Over the years, they’ve strengthened their bond. Now, it’s a tradition for Queen to find his dad right after every game when he steps out of the locker room.

Alongside his football-driven father, Patrick also has a hardworking mother, Mary Sue Queen. The DE has often spoken about her influence, saying, “Mom was a calming influence in his life. Whatever he needed, whenever he needed to talk and was upset with me, Mom was there. She’s what kept it together. No doubt.”

Here’s a cool fact about Patrick, aka Steelers jersey No. 6: they called him a “miracle baby.” His parents believed he was a gift from God after years of praying.

How has Patrick Queen’s father shaped his NFL career?

Dwayne Queen has played a big role in shaping Patrick’s life and career. He always wanted a son to follow in his footsteps, so he was pumped when Patrick came along after three daughters. As Patrick got older, Dwayne got him into basketball first, teaching him to dribble, shoot, and really dive into the game.

Just like his dad, Patrick was all about football from the jump. Growing up close to LSU, little Patrick always dreamed of rocking the Tigers’ uniform. As his dad puts it, “He was just a natural.” Over the years, that ‘miracle baby’ turned into a total beast on the field, and his insane performances at LSU got him a first-round pick in the NFL.

Patrick’s rocking the black and gold with the Pittsburgh Steelers now, after parting ways with the Ravens over a contract beef. He locked down a $41 million deal with the Steelers—four years, with a nice $2.25 million base salary for 2024. And honestly? He’s showing everyone he’s worth every dime with how he’s playing.

Kicking off the 2024 season, Patrick’s already stacked up 53 solo tackles and forced a fumble. Pretty solid, huh? But even with numbers like that, there are still folks doubting him. When asked about the haters on social media, he didn’t hold back: “I’ve been hearing that same stuff since I came into the NFL. I see it in the media all the time, and it just fuels me. My size? Yeah, some people have a problem with that. But at the end of the day, I’ve got the heart to stop the run.”