Ryder Fieri keeps his father on his toes, in the best way possible.
“Ryder has grown so much in the last six months, it’s unbelievable,” Guy Fieri told PEOPLE while announcing his annual Super Bowl party, Guy’s Flavortown Tailgate.
Ryder, 19, is a freshman at San Diego State University, where he is enrolled in the hospitality program and works with the school’s basketball team.
“Maybe it’s going to college and starting to understand what family life is all about. He’s just been great, more family-oriented and considerate. Not that he hasn’t always been, but he’s just grown up so much,” adds Guy, who also father of older son, Hunter, 28. “I’m amazed, I really am.”
Guy Fieri with his son Ryder.
guyfieri/Instagram
Guy Fieri handles all the details at his free Super Bowl tailgate in New Orleans with Diplo and Flavor Flav
There was one particular moment when the Food Network star realized just how far Ryder had come.
“My mom called me, almost in tears, and said that Ryder called her the other day out of the blue,” recalls Guy of Ryder’s grandmother, Penny. “Just to call her to see how she’s doing and say hello. And I say, you can tell your kid a million times, ‘It’s Grandma’s birthday, make sure you call’ or ‘Hey, have you talked to Grandma recently?’ And now he’s doing things like that, so he’s definitely growing up.”
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Guy Fieri with mom Penny and son Hunter.
guyfieri/Instagram
The guy’s mother is recently widowed. His father Jim died almost a year ago at the age of 81. Jim and Penny owned multiple stores in Ferndale, California, where Guy and his late sister Morgan grew up.
Ryder is also showing his growth in college. “He works for the basketball team there at San Diego State, and the dedication he has working on that team — getting up early and going to all that — he really loves it,” the dad said. “He’s really tuned in. He’s doing great.”
Guy Fieri celebrates son Ryder’s 19th birthday with an ‘early present’
Ryder celebrated his 19th birthday on New Year’s Eve with a “low-key” trip to Mexico with his girlfriend and a few friends. “That’s what he was looking for,” says Guy.
There’s a good chance Ryder will also join his family in New Orleans for the Super Bowl and Guy’s Flavortown Tailgate on February 9th. The free event will feature food from restaurants featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, plus performances by Diplo, Flavor Flav and Cowboy Mouth. Registration is now open.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education