Runs in the Family: An Incredible True Story of Football, Fatherhood, and Belong

<b>A revelatory examination of the choices we make </b><b>as</b><b> parents</b><b> and children</b><b>, told through the eyes of a Black man on a journey to find his biological </b><b>family</b> <b>and discover where</b><b> and to whom</b><b> he truly belongs</b><b>.</b> <b>B</b><b>ased on Sarah Spain's viral ESPN article.</b> <p/>Football coach and father of four Deland McCullough's world was forever changed when his adoption records were unsealed, revealing a hidden past that would profoundly shape his understanding of himself and his family. The journey that ensued uncovered a surprising connection: his biological father had unknowingly been a key figure in his life for three decades. Deland's journey of self-discovery and the search for his identity were transformative experiences, deeply impacting his future by shedding light on his past. <p/>In 1972, sixteen-year-old Carol Briggs gave birth to Jon Kenneth Briggs during a snowstorm in Pittsburgh and decided to place him for adoption, hoping he would land in a stable two-parent household. Adopted by a well-known Youngstown, Ohio, radio DJ and his wife, Jon was renamed Deland McCullough. Deland's childhood was disrupted by his adoptive parents' turbulent divorce and his mother's subsequent abusive relationships. In the midst of this chaos, he learned of his adoption and found football as a sanctuary, providing him with a sense of belonging and mentorship. <p/>Deland's passion for football propelled him into a professional