Father's Day is an annual holiday that gives honor to the bond that is shared between father and son. In this case, Curtis Randle El, father of Washington Redskins wide receiver Antwaan Randle El, attributes one common interest that he and his son have held for nearly 20 years: football.
"We both love the game and that creates a bond between a father and son, which makes chemistry," said Curtis Sr., who is a member of the National Football Players Fathers Association (NFPFA). The NFPFA, led by Samuel McNabb (the father of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb) was created by dads of pro football players to provide their sons guidance in their busy lives and charitable endeavors.
"It goes back to my childhood," Antwaan said. "When I was growing up, my dad was taking me back and forth to practice—[my dad] just being involved was the biggest thing. Even though there’s no football played on Father’s Day, we’re always thinking about it."
Curtis Sr., who raised three sons with wife Jacqueline out of Riverdale, Ill., notes that a passion for football has been the constant entity that he, Antwaan, eldest son Curtis and his youngest son Marcus have all continued to share.
"Basically, [Antwaan] played all three sports-all three of my sons did: football, basketball and baseball," Curtis Sr. said. "I think [that playing football] has created a bond to where I enjoy that sport and he also enjoys the sport. [Antwaan] loves the excitement and the thrill [of football], and I do, too. On game day before the game, I motivate him and we have prayer and everything usually works out pretty good."
Antwaan endured a smooth transition as a talented quarterback in college at Indiana to a speedy slot receiver with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington Redskins in the NFL. Even though his position and his level of competition has changed throughout the years, his interest and passion for the game has stayed the same since childhood.
"When he was six years old, Antwaan and his older brother Curtis first started playing in Riverdale," Curtis Sr. said. "Then, I took them to Harvey Coats, which was well known for winning Pop Warner championships. When I took him to Harvey Coats, ‘Twaan was supposed to be the starting quarterback. Come weigh-in time he made weight but he was too young to play. Then, we had to come up with a birth certificate during the weigh-in but he was too young and that hurt him so bad-even at seven years old he was going to be the starting quarterback!"
Despite the bump in the road, everything worked out for Antwaan: he joined the team the following year and led them to a championship. Some of Curtis Sr.'s fondest and proudest memories of Antwaan include his on-the-field accomplishments, much like his Pop Warner championship victory.
"Just to see him at the banquets and getting trophies and just being there by his side, especially during the Super Bowl because he never went to a bowl game at Indiana," Curtis Sr. said.
However, watching Antwaan develop dedication to his craft and family through the sport he grew up playing is something that Curtis Sr. is most proud of.
"I get to see my son play his heart out and give it all he's got, and that's something that I've installed in him as a kid," Curtis Sr. said. "He's seen me go out and work hard every day and sacrifice for my three boys in order for them to have something, and that gives him the power to go out there and work hard and be where he is today."
For more information about the National Football Players Fathers Association (NFPFA), please contact LaTonya Story at Latonya@lpsconsultingpr.com.