A Surprising Discovery: The Unlikely Connection Between a Coach and His Son
After embarking on a journey to find his biological parents, former NFL player Deland McCullough was taken aback by the revelation that one of them had been in his life all along. This unexpected twist turned out to be his longtime mentor and former coach, Sherman Smith.
McCullough, who played for the Cincinnati Bengals before transitioning into coaching roles with the Kansas City Chiefs and now the Las Vegas Raiders, found himself in an emotional situation when he discovered that his biological father was someone he had known for years. Smith, 70, was not only a coach but also a significant figure in McCullough's life, acting as a fatherly influence without ever knowing their true relationship.
The story unfolded during a conversation on The Today Show, where McCullough shared how he always felt a deep connection to Smith. He was raised by his adoptive mother, Adele, after being orphaned at birth. At the age of 17, Smith helped recruit him to Miami University in Ohio, where both of them achieved success as players and later as coaches.
Smith’s role extended beyond just coaching; he became a guiding force in McCullough’s life. “You may not be looking for a father, but I'm going to treat you like my son,” he often told his players. This sentiment resonated deeply with McCullough, especially after he suffered a severe knee injury during a preseason game. During that difficult time, Smith provided the support and stability that McCullough had longed for.
When McCullough became a father in 2017, he decided to search for his biological parents. His first discovery was his mother, who lived just 10 minutes away. She revealed that his father was a man named Sherman Smith. This information led to a heartwarming reunion, where Smith opened his arms and welcomed him as his son.
Smith claims he was unaware that his son’s mother, a former friend, had given birth to him years ago. He described their incredible story as "divine." “There's no way to write this... you just have to believe this is God,” he said.
The similarities between the two are remarkable. Both are Hall of Famers at Miami University, and both saw their professional careers end due to multiple knee surgeries. Their paths also intersected in education and coaching after retiring from the NFL. “Both of us go to the Super Bowl multiple times, and unfortunately both of us lose to Tom Brady,” McCullough joked.
McCullough, now an assistant coach for the Raiders, has built a solid reputation as a running backs coach. He won a Super Bowl with Kansas City in 2020 before facing defeat to Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers the following year. Smith, on the other hand, lost to Brady’s New England Patriots while coaching the Seattle Seahawks in 2017, having previously won the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Their inspiring story is now chronicled in a book titled Runs In The Family: An Incredible True Story of Football, Fatherhood, and Belonging, written by McCullough. There are even talks of a potential movie adaptation.
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