Malcolm Rodriguez is a football linebacker playing for the team Detroit Lions in the league. Although he was only a sixth-round pick in the 2022 draft, the player showed a promising performance in his rookie season. It remains to be seen how his potential will unfold. While talking about the young man, we cannot miss out on the people who are responsible for his upbringing, his parents.
Read more to find out about Malcolm’s mother and father, alongside their contribution to shaping him into the human being he is today.
Malcolm Rodriguez’s Parents, Roman and Shanna Rodriguez
The athlete was born on March 29, 1999, to Roman Rodriguez and Shanna Rodriguez in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. His mother Shanna is of American-Indian descent belonging to the indigenous Cherokee tribe while his father is Mexican.
Due to the influence of her upbringing, Shanna refers to her family as a tribe and her children as cubs.
Roman and Shanna have been together for three decades
Malcolm’s parents, Roman and Shanna fell in love and got together in 1994. They dated for around two years before officially tying the knot in the last week of June 1996. The couple’s love has stood against the trials of time and will celebrate their 28th anniversary in 2024.
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After their marriage, the two settled in Oklahoma and currently reside in Wagoner City in the same state.
The Rodriguez pair have athletic children
Alongside Malcolm himself, the Rodriguez couple has two other sons, Roman “Rome” Rodriguez and Gabriel Rodriguez. Malcolm is the middle child.
Malcolm’s older brother Roman is a former football linebacker for his high school team, Wagoner, and later the team from Northeastern University. After a year into college, he quit football and pursued baseball. He also took part in a bodybuilder competition in 2022 and nabbed fifth place.
During his senior year in high school, Roman also won a state wrestling championship. He attended three years of college and later joined the workforce at Oklahoma Natural Gas. He currently works there as a customer service team leader.
Rodriguez’s younger brother, Gabriel is also following the steps of his older brothers. He attends Oklahoma State University and is a part of the football team as both an offensive and defensive player.
Malcolm looked up to his older brother
Since childhood, his older brother, Roman was the one to push him towards pursuing sports. He was a second dad or coach for Malcolm. In addition, he was also the first person Malcolm sought after a game and asked for his opinion on his play.
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As they grew up, they both started motivating each other and wanted the other to succeed. The linebacker even joined a wrestling competition following his older sibling.
Roman is his biggest sounding board. We give our opinions and most of the time Roman was echoing from the same philosophy they’ve both grown up hearing from us. But in this case it’s coming from his brother who is closer to being a peer, and Malcolm looks up to and values Roman’s opinion.
Now, Malcolm himself is the same source of inspiration to his younger brother. We can attribute it to the pecking order among siblings.
Malcolm Rodriguez’s mother Shanna works as a real estate agent
Not everybody can handle loud and energetic children even if it is their own. Being able to raise three spirited sons, it might be her experience as a teacher that helped Shanna. Malcolm’s mother holds a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education and was a teacher in public school for many years.
Currently, the mother of three works as a real estate agent for Chinowth & Cohen Realtors. She got her license as an agent in 2023 and is working towards building a portfolio of clients.
Born as Shanna Quintessa Lea Blackwell in November 1977, Shanna was raised in Florida. She grew up to be family-oriented and loves reading, fitness, and exploring her culinary skills.
A few facts about Malcolm’s father, Roman
Roman was born on April 25, 1973 to Yolanda Marie Martinez. Malcolm’s grandmother passed away in 2022 losing her battle with cancer. He has two half-siblings from his mother’s side, a sister Diana Martinez, and a brother Antonio Martinez Jr. His younger brother is an actor, dancer, and aerialist.
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Roman and Shanna’s bond with their son
Malcolm’s parents have always been supportive of their kid’s career choices. They have spared no effort to help their child reach his dreams. The fact that the player has been able to achieve so much at a young age undoubtedly makes his parents proud.
The Rodriguez couple are present in the stands every time the footballer is on the field and spare no effort to cheer for him.
When Oklahoma meets Detroit! Have a day, Lions! 💙🎉🤠 https://t.co/W1R86zIYL4
— Shanna Rodriguez (@MamaRod1220) September 18, 2022