All About Bryce Young’s Parents, Craig and Julie Young

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Younger faces excessive expectations, however his dad and mom have all the time saved him levelheaded.

The No. 1 decide within the 2023 NFL Draft was raised by his father, Craig Younger, a psychological well being therapist, and his mom, Julie Younger, a former particular training instructor. Craig and Julie wed in July 1995 earlier than welcoming their solely youngster six years later.

Bryce was born in Philadelphia however spent most of his childhood in Pasadena, California. The 2021 Heisman Trophy recipient almost performed school soccer near house on the College of Southern California after committing to the varsity, however his dad and mom supported his choice to go to the College of Alabama as an alternative.

Though the rookie’s stature was commented on, being perceived as an undersized quarterback standing at 6 toes and 194 lbs., he had his dad and mom’ unconditional love.

“My dad and mom have all the time made it in order that I do know that they’ll love me regardless,” Bryce instructed CBS Sports activitiesin a November 2022 interview. “I don’t should be somebody; I don’t have to realize one thing to get their love or to get their compassion. I belief them, and I do know that I can come to them with something.”

So, who’re Bryce Younger’s dad and mom? Right here’s all the pieces to find out about Craig and Julie Younger.

Craig and Julie obtained married in 1995

Craig and Julie tied the knot on July 29, 1995.

He typically posts affectionately about his spouse on social media, writing about their anniversary in 2022. In keeping with his message, the couple dated for 3 years earlier than changing into husband and spouse.

“So, it’s been 27 years of marriage and 30 years collectively. What a experience!!” Craig wrote on Instagram. “Like all experience there have been ups, downs, twist, turns, suspense, concern [and] pleasure however above all there was LOVE.”

“You may have been the homie, confidant, prayer accomplice, cheering part, emotional assist, ally, enterprise accomplice and cutie pie.” he continued.

They welcomed their son Bryce on July 25, 2001.

Craig’s soccer ardour led him to call Bryce after a participant

Whereas watching Monday Night time Soccer one night, Craig had the concept to call Bryce after Inexperienced Bay Packers linebacker Bryce Paup. He would even drop a fabric soccer round Bryce when he was a child to see what would occur. Craig was shocked when he caught the ball at solely 4 months outdated.

A part of the explanation Craig beloved soccer a lot was as a result of he had his personal soccer profession in highschool that by no means fairly took off, nevertheless it motivated him to make sure Bryce’s success.

“I didn’t attain my very own potential athletically. I didn’t get the perfect teaching,” Craig instructed Sports activities Illustratedin April 2023. “There’s an opportunity I ended enjoying as a result of I give up and I’m going to be sure that doesn’t occur to him.”

Craig’s psychological well being background influenced how he raised Bryce

Craig is achieved in his personal proper, having labored as a licensed therapist within the psychological well being discipline for over 25 years, in accordance with his web site. He graduated together with his B.A. in sociology from UCLA and his M.A. in marriage and household remedy from Pacific Oaks Faculty.

He gives counseling, consulting and training companies whereas additionally talking at occasions, typically about management. Craig’s psychological well being advocacy has influenced how he raised Bryce, having all the time inspired Bryce to prioritize his psychological well being.

“Psychological well being has all the time been necessary to our household,” Craig defined to CBS Sports activities. “It’s simply one thing that we’ve all the time paid a whole lot of consideration to, and we all the time needed to offer an surroundings for Bryce the place he felt protected and he felt beloved and he felt inspired regardless of his outcomes.”

He added: “We supplied a protected place for him to specific his emotions or generally to not categorical his emotions … that no matter he’s feeling was okay and that we had been there to assist him downside clear up and that via that problem-solving journey he was all the time beloved and we had been there for him.”

Julie was a particular training instructor

Julie labored for 25 years as a particular training instructor, per the Related Press.

In keeping with Sports activities Illustrated, when a toddler with particular wants was introduced into Julie’s class midway via the varsity 12 months, she was knowledgeable that the kid “doesn’t do an entire lot” by their occupational therapist.

By the tip of the 12 months, Julie taught the kid the alphabet, methods to kind their title on a pc and sound out some small phrases. She used this similar dedication and compassion whereas elevating her son.

“We’d do all the pieces collectively,” Julie instructed the Carolina Panthers in April 2023. “Even once we go to practices, I might go. I bear in mind I had a buddy ask me, like, ‘Why don’t you simply drop him off and go away?’ And I used to be like, ‘No, I’ll keep. All of us should be collectively.’ ”

Julie was a former athlete, however Bryce did not know

Julie was a star soccer participant in highschool, touring to Australia with an under-16 nationwide staff and enjoying in school at Cal Poly Pomona, per the AP. She later taught Bryce humility, having by no means even shared these accomplishments with him.

“I didn’t know this about her for nearly my whole childhood,” Bryce shared in September 2023. “It took for another person to inform me simply how good she was … Then after I requested her, she was like, ‘Oh, I attempted my finest. I had enjoyable.’ However in actuality, she was among the best gamers within the nation.”

“They’re a number of the most humble and empathetic folks I’ve ever been round,” he mentioned of his dad and mom. “That’s one thing that was all the time in my upbringing and was all the time a degree of emphasis. I feel my dad and mom did an important job main by instance.”

Julie helped Craig and Bryce have a greater relationship

Craig developed into Bryce’s biggest mentor, nevertheless it wasn’t all the time this fashion. Regardless of the general loving and supportive surroundings he grew up in, Bryce went to Julie about Craig’s teaching fashion.

Upon listening to this, she talked with him about balancing his duties of being a dad and coach to a center schooler.

“I needed to sort of step in and say, ‘Okay, now take into consideration this. You’re his father, too. How do you need to cope with this?’ ” Julie instructed CBS Sports activities. “He determined, ‘Okay, you’re proper. I would like to alter this and be extra collaborative’ of their discussions about sports activities. ”

Right now, Bryce calls Craig his “finest buddy.”

“He is all the time been there for me and never simply as a father however as a buddy, as a supporter, as a fan, somebody who pushes me to be higher,” the NFL star shared. “I am simply blessed and fortunate to have a father like that in my life.”

Craig and Julie purchased a home in Alabama to be near Bryce

Bryce initially dedicated to play school soccer at USC, which might have saved him stateside and near house. Nonetheless, when the chance to play for Nick Saban, acknowledged as one in all the best school soccer coaches of all time, on the College of Alabama got here up, it was too good to go up.

He had a stellar profession at Alabama, breaking a number of college information, however being away from house wasn’t straightforward to start with. Consequently, his dad and mom moved to a house roughly an hour away from the varsity so they might have dinner collectively and assist give him a break from the all-consuming nature of faculty soccer.

Bryce additionally sought assist for his psychological well being from the College of Alabama when he first struggled with the transition.

“I used to be so happy with Bryce for being so clear and being so trustworthy and so weak,” Craig instructed CBS Sports activities.

He continued: “Typically once we wrestle with psychological well being we need to maintain that [to ourselves] as a result of admitting that will sign some form of weaknesses, particularly for athletes who generally, their entire identification relies on being robust and ‘I can overcome.’ ”

Craig and Julie maintain all of Bryce’s accolades at their house

After Bryce was drafted in April 2023, he gave an unique interview to PEOPLE, revealing that he saved a chunk of the draft stage.

“The draft was a really surreal second for me. It is an expertise that I will always remember,” he mentioned. “Having the ability to haven’t simply the thought and the reminiscence, however the bodily a part of the stage is surreal.”

When PEOPLE requested Bryce the place he would maintain the precious memorabilia, he shared that it might go to his dad and mom’ home.

“They maintain the entire awards and stuff that’s actually memorable to us,” he added. “They’ve a spot prepared for it, so I feel it’ll be there.”