Photos by Tristan Quigley Photography
By Rachel Terrill, Player Engagement Insider
Brandon Mebane has fans in the highest of places – and he has fans with the tiniest of faces. The highest of places? The President of the United States described Mebane’s sack celebration, “belly roll,” in his White House address to the Seattle Seahawks after their Super Bowl XLVIII championship. And the tiniest of faces? Mebane has a two-year-old daughter and newborn son. Indeed, there is more to Mebane than his signature sack dance that gained him the attention of the highest order.
Mebane is more than an NFL nose tackle. He is also a family man, a locker room leader, and a man who is strong in his faith. “Faith, family and football. Keep God first always,” Mebane said.
This fall, Mebane will begin his 10th NFL season as one of the newest members of the San Diego Chargers. He comes to the Chargers after a successful run in Seattle where he was as popular among his teammates as he was among his fans. Nine years in any NFL program is a long time. Mebane is grateful for his time in Seattle and his relationships with his teammates. Likewise, he takes his role as a new teammate seriously. “I’m a veteran but I’m also a rookie all over again because I’m learning the system and learning the plays and getting to know my teammates. It’s a learning process,” he explained.
When asked about his longevity in the NFL, Mebane said, “I’ve had a long career because I spend the extra time after work to do body maintenance and I eat right and do the things that I need to do to keep my body feeling young. This is my 10th season and I feel great because some veteran told me a long time ago to take care of my body. He told me do something everyday to take care of yourself, whether that is a massage, hot and cold tub therapy or even just cutting your fingernails.”
Mebane loves being an NFL player – but football has never been the most important thing in his life. “Being a husband and father is my most important job,” he said. “If I take care of my responsibilities as a family man, then football comes easy. When things are right off the field, it is easier to be focused when it comes to being on the field.”
Mebane first saw his wife, Amena, when they were in middle school in Los Angeles. He was smitten, but he never said a word. Their paths crossed again in college at The University of California, Berkeley. She was on the dance team. He played football. He saw her. He liked her. Still, he never said a word.
Years later, their paths serendipitously crossed again at a club in Seattle. Amena was in her second year of law school and Mebane was playing for the Seattle Seahawks. This time, he had to say something.
He waived to her across the room. She didn’t know who he was.
He walked up to her. “You are Amena Jefferson, and you went to Audubon Middle School and you were on the Cal Dance Team,” he said.
“Who are you?” she asked.
He told her they went to middle school together and college together. He even reminded her of her favorite scarf that she sometimes wore in middle school.
She was sure he was crazy – but he was only crazy for her.
He had a crush on her for years. Finally, he asked her on a date. She gave him her business card, in case he ever needed legal help.
He texted. He texted again. “Want to get dinner?” he asked.
A few months later, she finally said yes.
Mebane adored Amena from the moment he knew her and he continues to adore her today. She adores him too. “He is an awesome father and husband,” she said. “He is patient, caring, really funny, fun, and smart.”
Mebane credits Amena and their family for his on-field performance. “Marriage has helped me further my career as a football player. Having a significant other to experience football and life with has helped me grow as human being and a player. Life is just all around better being married and having a partner. This journey wouldn’t be as meaningful and fun if I wasn’t married to Amena. I take my job as husband and father seriously. I have a sense of pride being a husband and dad.”
Mebane's and Amena’s daughter just turned two and their son is just one month old. “Having kids takes the NFL experience to another level,” he said. “Becoming a father has given me a new energy. I’m thankful that I’m able to provide for my family in this way and that is reflected in how I play. When you are married with kids, everything you do is for your family and your family legacy that will last generations.”
Mebane is grateful for every part of the NFL and how it impacts his life. “I just thank God that I’m able to play a sport that I’ve been dreaming about playing since I was in fourth grade. I wake up every day and look forward to going to work.”
As Mebane begins his 10th NFL season, it’s no longer the fans and the praise that keeps him going. Although he says that having President Obama mention his belly roll was one of the highlights of his life, today Mebane plays for a different audience. “I’m not just playing for me anymore. Being a father of two definitely changes how I approach work,” he said. “I feel more focused and I recognize that it is more than football. I feel like I play with more passion now being a father like I play with a sense of urgency, intensity and a sense of pride. I want to play to make my kids proud of me and to continue to provide for them the best that I can.”
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Dubbed “Dr. Love” for her work on marriage and relationships, Rachel Terrill is passionate about making marriages work. Rachel is the wife of Craig Terrill, who played for the Seattle Seahawks from 2004-2011. Rachel spent the last twelve years investigating the relationships and marriages of professional athletes. Rachel earned her Ph.D. in Communication from The University of South Florida. She teaches university courses on communication and public speaking and she serves as a family advisor for the NFL Players Health Study at Harvard University. Her work is featured in radio, television, online, and print publications. You can reach her through her website at www.rachelterrill.com