All About Rome Odunze's Parents, Necia Bunnell and James Odunze

Meet Roma Odunza’s parents.

Born on June 3, 2002, the Chicago Bears wide receiver is the son of Necia Bunnell and James Odunze.

A football standout in high school, Rome took his talents from his native Las Vegas to the University of Washington to play for the Huskies in 2020. He was a consensus All-American, the 2023 national championship runner-up and the ninth pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

“I’m the complete package,” Rome told ESPN in April 2024.

Odunze often talks about his work ethic in interviews, citing certain past experiences that shaped him to be the person he is today. He especially credits the summers he spent working on his mom’s family farm, which taught him “how to grind.”

The athlete also spoke about his Nigerian heritage on his father’s side of the family, stressing that he strives to “continue to elevate” his grandparents and “all those who came before us” on the “stage” he has been given as he continues his football career.

Read on to know more about Roma Odunza’s mom and dad.

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His father’s family is Nigerian

Rome Odunze from the Washington Huskies in January 2024.

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Odunze, who says his name means “King’s Ivory”, spoke openly about his heritage and how it shaped him to be the person he is today. The American-born player is of Nigerian descent on his father’s side, which he says “means everything [him].”

“At home, my grandfather was one of 50 kids,” Odunze told The Pivot Podcast. “My dad, that side of the family, is Nigerian heritage. That’s something that really drives me to keep doing what I’m doing because that’s where you come from.”

“African-Americans sometimes often don’t know where they come from,” he continued. “For me, I feel super blessed because I know where I come from. I know the village where my grandfather grew up…it’s important to honor them.”

Odunze went on to explain what drives him to success. “To come here to America with nothing in my pocket and then to have my grandson on this stage,” he said, adding, “I just feel like we’ve been tremendously blessed and it’s my duty to continue to lift the name up.”

His mother grew up in Provo, Utah

Robe Odunze and his mom Necia Bunnell.

Rome Odunze/Instagram

Necia grew up in Provo, Utah, on the family’s dairy farm. He currently works in Las Vegas, but attributes his work ethic to his experiences on the farm.

“My upbringing on a dairy farm instilled in me the value of hard work,” reads her relative’s biography on the company’s website. “I’m wired that way and it just became my way of life.”

Necia points to her father who was an “example” of “how to be diligent” when she was growing up. “I remember when I was eight years old I had to get up early before school to go feed the cows… this was where I learned the values ​​I have and carry out today.”

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His parents enrolled him in a Catholic high school

Rome Odunze from the Washington Huskies in September 2021.

Abbie Parr/Getty

Odunze went to Bishop Gorman, a high school in Nevada that is considered an “electron” because of its high-profile alumni who went on to play professional sports after graduation. The athlete credited his mom and dad for enrolling him in the program, which laid the foundation that set him up for his football success.

“If I’m really trying to go do this thing, I’m going to go to Gorman,” Odunze told The Pivot Podcast about his thought process when choosing a school in pursuit of his football dream. “My parents worked hard to make it happen.”

Odunze explained why he believes Bishop Gorman prepared him to be the outstanding receiver he is today. “I think it’s just tough,” he said of training in the Las Vegas summer heat.

“They don’t have indoor spaces. It’s tough. You’re grinding at 115°F, the turf is probably 130°-135°F — I don’t even know if that’s legal! It’s tough,” he reiterated. “There is progress in everything. Everything is directed towards the goal.”

Odunze described the training as “militant,” especially as a young high school athlete. He also said that “being around so much talent” and the “stress” that came with it “builds you up for the moment” when you’re “going through these things emotionally and physically.”

In fact, the player recalled that it was “so hard” that “college came easy” after that.

His dad is a “history buff”

Odunze told The Pivot Podcast that his dad is a “history buff” and named him after a certain period in the past that interested him the most.

“I think he was simply fascinated by the Roman Empire and everything they were able to achieve. Their influence on society was passed down through the generations,” said the footballer about the meaning behind his name.

His parents instilled in him a strong work ethic at a young age

Rome Odunze Talks SiriusXM at Super Bowl LVIII in February 2024

Cindy Ord/Getty

Odunze’s parents sent him to work on his grandfather’s farm in Provo, Utah, just as his mother did when she was a child. He opened up to The Pivot Podcast about the hard work ethic that was instilled in him at a young age during his summers away.

While the athlete said it was “fun”, adding that it also “teaches you lessons”. He explained: “Going out there in the summer and farming is no joke. Taking care of animals when it’s your job and that’s what puts food on the table, it’s different because you’re dealing with living things.”

“My grandfather would wake up at 5:00 a.m. and stay up until 11:00 p.m. just feeding those animals and taking care of them,” he noted. “Business is business. There’s just no room for excuses or the whole thing will come crashing down…it was super humbling.”

“It taught me how to grind,” Odunze added.

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His dad wants him to “do the best” he can

Odunze’s family recognizes hard work — but rather than pressuring him toward certain goals, his family just wants him to do his best in all areas of his life.

“For me, there was never any particular stress to make sure you were a doctor or a lawyer, or anything like that. They just wanted me to be successful,” the football player said on The Pivot Podcast. “My dad always stressed that you should do the best you can in every aspect of your life, and for me, a big part of my life was football or education.”

His mom is “grateful” for his football career so far

Rome Odunze from the Washington Huskies in November 2021.

Steph Chambers/Getty

Necia is a proud mum, often posting her support and love for Odunze on her Instagram page in between birthday tributes and football videos. In one post, she described her son as “a man of great character, love, work ethic, vision and courage.”

In early January 2024, Necia posted a video on Instagram composed of clips from Odunze’s four years as a Washington Husky. “The first thought that comes to mind is gratitude for everything,” she captioned part of the post.

“I thank all our family and friends who supported us on this journey,” she continued. “There were so many who made sacrifices to travel to watch him play and many who cheered him on from their homes. Thank you, it means a lot to us!!”

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Source: HIS Education