Jessie Bates’ parents divorced, and his mother raised him and his brothers alone. After his father was away, the Atlanta Falcons star’s mother, Theresa, worked two jobs to supplement the family income. While emphasizing Jessie’s academic abilities, she also did her best to encourage her son’s athletic interests.
Bates’ mother brought him to his first NFL game when he was in the fifth grade. Things came full circle when he was selected in the NFL draft. Jessie Bates III (born February 26, 1997) is an American football safety currently playing for the Atlanta Falcons (2023–present). He plays with Desmond Ridder, Jeff Okudah, Kyle Pitts, David Onyemata and Chris Lindstrom to name a few.
The Falcons acquired him via franchise from the Bengals on a one-year deal for $12.911 million. Later, on March 14, 2023, they offered him a four-year contract worth $64.02 million. Bates, a Wake Forest graduate, was the Cincinnati Bengals’ second-round pick (54th overall) in the 2018 NFL Draft. He spent four seasons at the club, first under Marvin Lewis (2018), and then under Zac Taylor.
Jessie Bates was raised by a single mother, Theresa
A former Bengals player, Jessie grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with his brothers under the care of his single mother, Theresa Trotter (née Ladd). In interviews, the NFL great often highlights his mother’s efforts and struggles in raising him and his brothers. Theresa worked two jobs and still tried to find time for her children. Apparently, she would spend 30 minutes at home before going to another job. According to him, his mother’s subterfuge opened his eyes and instilled in him work and family values. That empathy became the true fuel for Bates’ achievement.
His mother brought him to his first NFL game when he was in fifth grade. It was a game between the Bengals and the Ravens. More than a decade later, he would go from fan to NFL player himself. Jessie has no words to express his gratitude to his mother for her contribution to his success in the NFL.
Who is the father of Jessie Bates?
Falcon star Jessie III is named after her father, Jessie Bates II. Dad was mostly absent during the footballer’s formative years, although he did visit him occasionally. When Bates was in high school, his biological father moved to Indianapolis. As a result, they drifted apart until they got back together when he started college. As previously reported, Bates II visited him during the Wake Forest game. Nothing is known about his father except that he played basketball and ran track at Northside High School.
Jessie’s family: six siblings, stepfather
Bates III has six siblings, including a half-brother and three half-siblings. Their names are Aaliyah, Von, Donavan, Kameron and Ariana. The 6-foot-1-inch (2.16 m) athlete weighs 200 pounds and has an older sister named Aaliyah Bates (b. 1995), who is two years older than him. She went to nursing school at Purdue University. Von Collyear Jr., Jessie’s younger half-brother from her mother’s relationship with Von Collyear, was born in November 2007.
After separating from Mr. Collyear, Jessie’s mother, Theresa, had a relationship with Daryl Trotter (his stepfather). They got married on June 30, 2018 after five years of dating. The NFL star is close to his stepfather, from whom he has three stepsons: Donavan, Kameron and Ariana. They are all grown up and live in a loving blended family.
Bates advocates for single mothers
Jessie is passionate about helping single mothers after facing his own problems and seeing his mother’s struggle as a single parent. The NFL athlete created the JB3 Single Mother Initiative in collaboration with his mother and management. Through the Initiative, it enables single mothers and their children to celebrate for several days. It kicked off 2019 and celebrated its third annual event in collaboration with Bigger Than Sneakers, Inc. In March 2023, Bates pledged to contribute $1 million over four years to groups that help single mothers in his hometown of Atlanta and Fort Wayne.
Categories: Entertaintment
Source: HIS Education