Trey McBride, a tight end from Colorado State University, is poised to make history on Thursday. If he’s drafted — and many think he will be — he’ll be the first NFL player with same-sex parents.
McBride, along with his 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 weren’t as readily accepted as they are today.
“They actually considered me a single mom,” Kate said. “And I do remember telling my parents that I’m pregnant, and they said, ‘Why would you want to have 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 worried about Trey and their other kids being bullied for having same-sex parents. But instead of focusing on that, they made sure their kids were comfortable with themselves and fully supported at home.
“You always worry about your kids,” Jen said. “Because we’re all kids. We know how kids are. But the main thing is with them is, be confident in who you are. You come from a family that every single one of us are in your corner, no matter what, anytime in the day. So, nobody really talked about bullying.”
To McBride, same-sex parents are ‘normal’
McBride’s last season at Colorado State launched him into the draft sphere. He led Division I in both receptions (90) and yards (1,121), and was a unanimous All-American. He also won the John Mackey Award, which is given out to the best tight end in the country every year. He even caught a TD in the 2022 Senior Bowl.
While he’d be the first NFL player with same-sex parents, to McBride it’s just “normal.” He appreciates how he was raised and said his parents played a crucial role in him being where he is today — on the verge of being drafted into the NFL.
“They’ve done a great job of pushing me to be the best version of myself and just constantly giving support and love,” McBride told “The Today Show.”
Now with McBride ready to head off to the NFL, Kate is so thrilled to see him start the next chapter of his life.
“I’m excited to see him just live his dream,” Kate told “The Today Show.” “When your kid comes to you when they’re little and they say they want to be president, you’re like, ‘OK, honey, that’s great.’ He wanted to play in the NFL, and he’s going to do it.”
Yahoo Sports’ Eric Edholm projects that McBride will be picked in the second or third round of the draft, which kicks off Thursday night.
