Janelle Bryant is no stranger to the gridiron. She was born into the NFL family and never fully left. Her father, Jacob Green, was a first round draft pick, Pro-Bowl player, and All-Pro. When she was born, her dad was in the midst of a stellar career in which he accumulated over 100 sacks as a defensive end. Wearing #79, Jacob Green played for thirteen seasons in the NFL before his number was retired by the Seattle Seahawks. Years later, his daughter, Janelle, met and married Red Bryant. Ironically, Red was drafted to play for the Seattle Seahawks, and wear #79, for the same team that Janelle grew up cheering for when her father played.
Janelle was excited to let us peek behind the curtain into her life as the daughter and wife of two NFL greats.
Football has been a part of your life since you were born. What is your earliest football memory?
Every Sunday, my sisters and I dressed up as Sea Gals (Seahawks cheerleaders) because we loved the costumes so much. In fact, we dressed up as Sea Gals for Halloween several years in a row!
I also remember the players and families getting together for breakfast before Sunday games. The restaurant where we gathered had the best cinnamon rolls that I've ever tasted! To this day, I don't think I have tasted a cinnamon roll as delicious. All of the players, coaches, and their families felt like an extension of our family. For that, and for what came later, Seattle will always have a piece of my heart.
Despite growing up in the Seattle area, you went to college at your Dad’s alma matter of Texas A&M. There, you met another football player, Red Bryant. How exactly did the two of you meet?
I saw Red around campus quite a bit before we actually started dating. I was a college athlete as well, so we saw each other in the weight room and on campus a couple times. We always looked at each other and smiled or waved and keep walking! The first time we officially had a conversation, we were at a mutual friend's birthday party. He asked for my phone number and said he would call me to hang out soon. I wasn't expecting the 8 a.m. wake up call the next morning! From then on, we were calling, texting, and hanging out all the time! We were inseparable.
Having grown up around the NFL and NFL players, did you ever think that you might want to marry an NFL player?
I never considered or thought about marrying an NFL player. In fact, I didn’t think a lot about who I might marry. In high school, my sisters and I were so busy with school and sports that we never really had time for boyfriends. My dad also told us, even in high school, that we were not allowed to date. When I met Red, it was the summer right after my freshman year of college. He was my first real boyfriend. I knew after we started dating that I could see myself marrying him. The NFL was not necessarily my dream, but it was always one of his dreams. I was happy to see him succeed and accomplish his goals throughout his college years and his professional career!
When drafted by the Seattle Seahawks, Red wore #79, which was previously retired in honor of your father. What was the discussion around the family dinner table about Red wearing your Dad’s number?
No one was more excited than my dad for Red to wear the number 79! On the day Red got drafted, he received a phone call from the Seahawks asking him to wear my dad's number! He said yes right away and considers it a privilege to carry on my dad's legacy.
What is your experience of being in the NFL as the wife of an NFL player as opposed to the child of an NFL player?
As a child I was very care free. I can’t remember worrying or having any stress. The NFL was all fun for me. I have so many fun NFL memories from going to the Seahawks games at the King Dome to the team’s family Christmas parties and birthday parties. I just loved to have fun and I loved attending my dad’s games with my mom and sisters! It was just a blast! As adults we have just as much fun too — but now with more responsibility!
What has been your favorite football moment as an adult?
It is hard to think of just one moment! There have been so many wonderful and exciting experiences. Of course, when your husband is doing what loves and is happy, that is when you're happiest! My favorite season was 2011. Red had such a great year and that year was particularly special for us as a family as we welcomed into the world our first born son, Brooks. Another major moment for us was last year, when we won the Super Bowl with the Seahawks in New York City. We were able to join the team on the field after the game, which was also an amazing experience . Standing next to my husband and seeing him accomplish one of his biggest dreams was truly amazing!
Red and I have come such a long way since we first met. We have grown as a couple, as parents, and most importantly as Christians. Growing as a family with our babies is our biggest joy! Obviously, with that comes great responsibility. We know that God has trusted us with these precious ones. I sometimes feel that my life has come full circle as I am following in my mom's footsteps! We have had such a great time and I am ever so thankful for all the blessings in my life.