Lee Berrios is the mother of American football wide receiver and return specialist Braxton Berrios. While Lee has gained prominence as “Braxton Berrios’ mother,” she is so much more than that. Her distinguished career and love for her children are among the things that make her stand out among the crowd.
Continue reading till the end to learn all there is to know about the footballer’s mom.
Braxton Berrios’ Mother, Lee Berrios’ Early Life
Berrios was born in April 1968 in North Carolina to Rev. Jay Allison Fogleman, Sr, and Linda Williams Fogleman. Unfortunately, her parents are no more. Lee’s father passed away on April 2, 2015, and her mother on October 23, 2023.
Lee grew up with five siblings: Jay Fogleman, Jr., Joseph Fogleman, Kathleen F. Irwin, the late William Small, and Connie Small. The brothers and sisters are pretty close to one another. They were raised with Christian beliefs and are devout Christians.
She Is A Standout Scholar
Braxton’s mother went to Southern High School. Following her graduation, she attended Campbell University from 1986 to 1990. Similarly, she got her paralegal certificate from the American Institute of Paralegal and Studies in 1998.
The 56-year-old marked another milestone in her educational journey in 2021. She graduated with a Master of Studies in Law, Health Law, and Policy from Wake Forest University School of Law at the age of 53.
However, Berrios did not just graduate but also got a 4.0 GPA. To celebrate this, her sister, Connie, made a post on her Facebook saying, “I have no idea how this woman did this with all our family has been through in the last three years. But she has graduated with her masters in law with a 4.0.”
Berrios’ Extensive Professional Life
At present, Berrios is the senior study activation manager at ICON plc, a role she has held since September 2021.
She previously worked at IQVIA, where she held several positions. Lee began her employment there as a risk management specialist and paralegal in April 2013. She became site activation manager in January 2017 until she quit to join her current job.
Prior to that, Lee was a Social Security disability claimants’ representative and paralegal at Martin and Jones Attorney for ten years and nine months, from August 2002 to April 2013.
Furthermore, she was also a middle school teacher for over a decade. Berrios taught at Asheboro City Schools from August 1990 to July 1997 and Guilford County Schools from August 1997 to July 2002.
Braxton Berrios’ Parents Met In College
The athlete’s parents, Rico Berrios and Lee met at Cambell University. Rico was an athlete who played football and soccer. He was a scholarship student at the university, thanks to his skills in soccer.
Similarly, a standout scholar, Lee did not just shine with her academics. She was also an athlete in college. During her years at Campbell University, she played softball. The football star’s mama was also in the cheerleading squad.
The two fell in love and soon got married. They two started their conjugal life in North Carolina. Unfortunately, their union did not last long, and the couple divorced in 2002.
The Former Sweethearts Share Two Children
Lee and Rico became parents to two wonderful children. Braxton has an elder brother, Austin Berrios. The elder Berrios began his Business Administration and Management Degree at East Carolina University in 2012, continued it as an Associate’s degree at Louisburg College in 2014, and finally graduated from North Carolina State University in 2016.
Much like his mother, he graduated with exceptional GPAs. Presently, he is the Regional Sales Manager for the DFW Offices. Similarly, Austin also played football in college.
As for their youngest son, well, we all know who Braxton Berrios is.
Lee’s Boys Are Her Everything
The woman loves her two sons very much. Even now, she posts pictures of them on her social media. Her Twitter bio, “Love God, my boys, husband, family, friends and tennis!” perfectly sums this up.
Lee Is Married to Her Son’s High School Coach
Following her divorce from Rico, Lee focused on her career and education for a while. However, things changed when she met Chad D. Smothers. Their love story is quite intriguing.
Chad was Braxton’s coach at Leesville Road High School for all four years. That is how it began for Lee and her current hubby. The lovebirds tied the knot on June 7, 2014. However, Lee has kept her first husband’s last name. She is now Lee Berrios-Smothers and the duo does not have any kids.
Similarly, Chad had an extensive career as a football and baseball coach. Alongside Leesville, he has also coached at Havelock, Rockingham County, and East Wake. He took the role of Athletic Director at Knightdale High School from 2014 to 2017, where his contributions to improving athletics were commendable.
Moreover, Lee’s spouse was the Athletic Director at Green Hope High School until his retirement in 2023. His fruitful 30 years in education finally came to an end, but the mark he left will last forever.
Her Former Hubby Has Also Found His Forever
It is not only Lee who has moved on from her former marriage. Her ex-husband has also moved and is now married to Jessica Jackson Berrios. While Lee and her current sweetheart do not have any children, Rico and Jessica have three. Nonetheless, Rico is still close to his sons.
Lee Berrios-Smothers Has Been Her Son’s Biggest Supporter Since Day One
The wide receiver would not be who he is right now without the unwavering support of his parents. His mother has always believed in him.
When Braxton was 6, he had already developed a keen interest in football. Even at that tender age, he was relentless and was always out practicing with his dad, no matter how the weather was.
Lee said that Braxton would practice catching the ball even in the rain. Seeing that, the neighbors would often tell Lee’s then-hubby that he was “going to kill this kid,” to which she would reply, “No, he’s not killing him. That boy is going to play in the NFL one day.” She had always believed in him, and she still does.
View this post on Instagram
Moreover, the athlete’s mother always ensured he did not sideline his studies. Even after all his success on the field, Braxton graduated as a major in finance and entrepreneurship with a commendable 3.96 GPA, receiving the Jim Tatum Award given to top student-athletes. Regarding this feat, Lee said,
He’s gone and done exactly what I expected him to do grade-wise, and as a person he’s grown. He’s still good as gold, he’s still humble and I’m very proud of him all the way around.
Furthermore, when the athlete was drafted, Lee shed tears of joy. It was one of the happiest moments of her life.
At present, Lee lives with her husband in Raleigh, North Carolina. Despite her busy schedule, she finds time to support her children and their professional endeavors. She watches Braxton’s games regularly and posts about them on her social media.