After Jessie Bates’ parents separated, his mother raised him and his siblings as a single mom.
The Atlanta Falcons star’s mom, Theresa, used to do two jobs to support the livelihood after his father remained away from the family.
While emphasizing Jessie’s academics, she also ensured every possible way to support her son’s interest in athletics.
Bates’ mother was the one who took him to his first NFL game when he was in 5th grade. Things came full circle after he became the NFL draft pick.
Jessie Bates III (b. February 26, 1997) is an American football safety who plays for the NFL team Atlanta Falcons (2023- present).
There, he plays alongside Desmond Ridder, Jeff Okudah, Kyle Pitts, David Onyemata, and Chris Lindstrom, to name a few.
The Falcons obtained him off a franchise tag from the Bengals with a one-year signing for $12.911 million. Later, on March 14, 2023, they offered him a four-year $64.02 million contract.
An alum of Wake Forest, Bates was the 2nd round (54th overall) pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2018 NFL draft.
He played for four seasons in the team under head coaches Marvin Lewis (in 2018) and later with Zac Taylor.
Jessie Bates Parents: Single Mother Theresa Raised Him
The former Bengals player Jessie grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with his siblings under the wing of his single mother, Theresa Trotter (nee Ladd).
Often in interviews, the NFL star mentions the sacrifices of his mother and struggle in hard times to raise him and his siblings.
Theresa worked two jobs but even so, she would still try to make time for her kids. She reportedly would be home for 30 minutes before going for a second job.
According to him, his mother’s hustle was an eye-opener that instilled work & family principles in him. That empathy became the real fuel to Bates’ success.
As a fact, his mother took him to his first NFL game when he was in 5th grade. It was a game between the Bengals and the Baltimore Ravens.
More than a decade later, he would go from a fan to an NFL player himself.
Jessie has no words to thank his mom and appreciate her hard work that paved the path to his NFL prominence.
Who Is Jessie Bates’ Father?
The Falcons star’s Jessie III got the namesake of his father, Jessie Bates II. He was primarily absent during the football player’s formative years and visited him sometimes.
When Bates was in high school, his biological dad moved to Indianapolis. So, they grew apart and re-connected when he enrolled in college. As reported, Bates II came to visit him during a Wake Forest game.
Nothing much on his father is out except he played basketball and ran track at Northside High School.
Jessie Has Six Siblings: Step-Father & More On Family
Bates III has a total of six siblings inclusive of a half-sibling and three step-siblings. They are Aaliyah, Von, Donavan, Kameron, and Ariana.
The 6 feet 1-inch (2.16 m) and 200 lbs player has an older sister named Aaliyah Bates (b. 1995), who is two years senior to him. She attended nursing school at Purdue University.
From his mother’s relationship with Von Collyear, Jessie has a younger half-brother, Von Collyear Jr. (b. November 2007).
After splitting with Mr. Collyear, Jessie’s mom, Theresa, got into a relationship with Daryl Trotter (his stepfather). They married on June 30, 2018, after dating for five years.
The NFL star is close with his stepdad from whom he has three step-siblings: Donavan, Kameron, and Ariana. They are all grown-ups and share a blended yet a happy family.
Bates Advocates For Single Moms
Having faced the challenges & seen the struggle of his mother as a single parent, Jessie is passionate about supporting single moms.
With the help of his mother and his management, the NFL player crafted the JB3 Single Mother’s Initiative.
Through the Initiative, he treats single mothers and their children to a few days full of festivities. It started in 2019 and celebrated its 3rd annual event partnering with Bigger Than Sneakers, Inc.
In March 2023, Bates pledged to donate $1 million over four years to organizations benefitting single moms in Atlanta and his hometown, Fort Wayne.
