Whether one grows up while their dad is playing in the NFL or after their dad’s NFL playing career is over, they get used to one or both of two things:
Tough love, and time away.
“It was rough because it was a lot of tough love,” said Blanton, whose father Jerry played linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs for seven seasons. “Now looking back, seeing where I’m at, he knew what it took to get here. Growing up, I didn’t understand that a lot of times, like, ‘Why is he like this? Why is he like this?’ But it was very, very beneficial and I’m grateful for it, to have that.”
Blanton was born in November 1995, 10 years after his father’s final season, so he learned about his dad’s NFL experience through stories. The standard was always clear, too, as Blanton became a standout two-sport athlete at Blue Springs (Missouri) South High School.
Kendall credits Jerry’s tough love for making him a coachable player, recalling the feedback Jerry would provide him in high school as his toughest critic.
“I remember growing up, I could have a great game in whatever sport I’m playing, and he gonna say, if I was playing basketball, ‘You missed two free throws. Y’all would’ve won by 20 if you would’ve made those free throws,'” Blanton said. “Or when I used to play defensive end, ‘If you would’ve got your hands inside on this, you could’ve had three sacks.’ Things like that. I was like, ‘Man, am I good?’ But it just pushed me to continue to work hard and really never settle.”
Jefferson, meanwhile, was born in July 1996, more specifically the summer before his father Shawn’s sixth NFL season. With Shawn going on to play a total of 13 years, all Van knew for the first seven years of his life was his dad being gone a lot.
“My dad wasn’t home a lot, but it was good, it was a good learning experience, my dad being in the league and now coaching in the league, I learned a lot growing up,” Van said. “I knew seeing him play in the NFL, that was something I wanted to do too. He kind of set the…
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