Long before Milt Stegall became a legend on the football field, his life was shaped by the unshakable love and sacrifice of his parents, Betty and Garland Stegall.
The former CFL superstar and Hall of Famer frequently credits his humble Cincinnati upbringing and the tireless efforts of his mother and father as the driving forces behind his success.
His Parents Were The Foundation That Shaped Him
Milton Eugene Stegall, born on January 25, 1970, in Cincinnati, Ohio, is one of five children born to Betty and Garland Stegall.
The former NFL star once said,
“My father and mother, they’re my biggest role models, without any doubt. They gave us everything, and they did it all with just high school educations.”
Dad Garland Stegall Was A Tireless Provider Who Never Complained
Garland J. Stegall was born in 1922 and passed away in 1987, when Milt was just 17 years old.
A foreman at a chemical plant by trade, Garland’s days didn’t end when his shift did.
He also helped manage a family-run grocery store, handled yardwork on his rental properties, and made time to be present at nearly every one of Milt’s sporting events, be it football, baseball, or basketball.
Stegall recalled,
“He never got tired. From the second he got up, he was on the go… If you want the finer things and you want to provide for your family, you’ve got to work hard and sacrifice some things. That’s how I want to be.”
It’s widely believed that Garland’s exposure to industrial chemicals played a role in his early passing at age 65, but he never let that hardship affect his commitment to family.
Mom Betty Stegall Had A Heart of Gold And Was His Biggest Fan
Betty Stegall, born in 1935, was no less remarkable.
A graduate of Woodward High School and St. Francis School of Nursing, she worked for over 30 years as a nurse, primarily at Shriner’s Burns Institute.
But her service didn’t end in the hospital; Betty was also a cornerstone of her church community.
Known as “Mother Stegall” in her church, she directed choirs, attended 38 annual Holy Convocations in Memphis, and was famous for her peach cobbler fundraisers.
She was a founding member of the Southern Ohio District Choir, serving with energy and grace in custom pink gowns and a signature two-step march.
Betty passed away on December 26, 2020, having lived a life filled with faith, family, and service.
Despite modest means, Milt Stegall never felt deprived growing up.
According to him,
“I thought we were rich. If we were poor, I surely didn’t know it. We lived in a nice four-bedroom house with a big yard. I went to private schools all my life.”
Through scholarships and hard work, Stegall and his siblings were able to attend college, and now they lead great lives.
