Taylor Rooks was born into a family of athletes, with her father being Thomas Rooks, a former running back at the University of Illinois.
ESPN Broadcaster Taylor Rooks was born to parents, Thomas Rooks, a former football player, and Stephanie Rooks, on May 22, 1992, in St. Louis, Missouri, United States.
Taylor’s father, Thomas Rooks, was a talented football player at the University of Illinois. He was a running back for the Fighting Illini from 1982 to 1985 and became one of the team’s top rushing leaders.
Thomas helped the Illini win the Big Ten Championship in 1983 and over his four-year college career, he played in three bowl games, including the prestigious Rose Bowl.
His football legacy inspired Taylor, who grew up hearing stories of his games and seeing his old jerseys. This connection to sports helped shape Taylor’s love for athletics, even though she chose journalism over playing.
While Thomas inspired Taylor athletically, Taylor’s mother, Stephanie Rooks, was the family’s academic and professional role model.
Taylor’s mother, Stephanie Rooks, studied broadcast journalism at the University of Illinois, just like Taylor would later choose.
Stephanie’s career path took her to Gwinnett Technical College, where she served as Dean.
She loved watching news broadcasts, which sparked Taylor’s interest in journalism. Taylor has said her mom’s encouragement kept her motivated, especially in the harsh world of sports media.
Taylor Rooks Attributes Her Successful Career To Her Parents!
Broadcaster Taylor has often expressed gratitude for her parents’ sacrifices. In a 2021 interview with Essence, she spoke about how her mother pushed her to stay focused and work hard, even when things got tough.
She said:
My mom always had a way of keeping me grounded and making sure I knew what it took to succeed.
In a sentimental moment during a 2023 Bleacher Report interview, Taylor described how much her parents mean to her. She said:
Everything I’ve done is because of the sacrifices they made. They gave me the confidence to be myself and go after what I wanted.
Likewise, Thomas and Stephanie have also expressed how proud they are of Taylor’s achievements.
In a 2018 feature by Storied, Thomas shared his pride in watching Taylor grow into a respected journalist, saying:
She’s always been determined, and seeing her on TV, doing what she loves, makes us so proud.
Likewise, her mother Stephanie expressed her emotions in a 2020 Illini Alumni article, saying, “Taylor’s passion and hard work shine through in everything she does. We’re so proud of the woman she’s become.”
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Taylor Rooks’s uncle, Lou Brock, is a Baseball Hall of Famer.
- Before fully committing to journalism, Taylor briefly explored modeling.
