Trey McBride, a tight end from Colorado State University, is set to make history on Thursday. If he is drafted—and many think he will be—he will be the first NFL player with same-sex parents.
McBride, along with her four siblings, were raised by parents Kate and Jen, who told “The Today Show” that they started their family in the 1990s—a time when same-sex relationships and parenthood was not as readily accepted as today.
“They really considered me a single mom,” Kate said. “And I remember telling my parents I was pregnant, and they said, ‘Why do you want a baby as a single woman?’ And I said, ‘I’m not a single woman. I’m in a relationship.'”
Jen admitted that she and Kate were concerned about Trey and their other children being bullied by same-sex parents. But instead of focusing on that, she made sure her kids were comfortable with themselves and fully supported them at home.
“You always worry about your kids,” said Jane. “Because we’re all kids. We know how to have kids. But the main thing with them is to be confident in who you are. You come from a family that every one of us is in your corner ‘No matter what, anytime of the day. So, no one really talked about bullying.”
For McBride, gay parents are ‘normal’
McBride’s last season at Colorado State launched him into draft territory. He led Division I in both receptions (90) and yards (1,121), and was a unanimous All-American. He also won the John McKay Award, which is given to the best tight end in the country. He also caught a TD in the 2022 Senior Bowl.
While he would be the first NFL player with same-sex parents, it’s just “normal” for McBride. He appreciates how he was raised and says that his parents played a vital role in getting him where he is today – on the verge of being drafted into the NFL.
“He’s done a great job of inspiring me to be the best version of myself and constantly giving me support and love,” McBride told “The Today Show.”
Now with McBride ready for the NFL, Kate is thrilled to see him begin the next chapter of her life.
“I’m excited to see him fulfill his dream,” Kate told “The Today Show.” “When your kid comes up to you when they’re little and they say they want to be president, you say, ‘Okay, darling, that’s great.’ He wanted to play in the NFL and he’s going to do it.
Yahoo Sports’ Eric Adhanom projects that McBride will be selected in the second or third round of the draft, which begins Thursday night.
