American football cornerback Darius Slay’s mother Stephanie Lowe is only 13 years older than him. That’s why, they have more of a friend-like relationship instead of your typical mom-and-son bond.
What were Stephanie’s roles in her son Darius’ success in football? Read to the end to know more about her hardships, relation with her son, and net worth.
Key Takeaways
- Stephanie was just 13 when she gave birth to Darius.
- She raised her son Darius as a single mom.
- Stephanie shares Darius with her high school boyfriend, Darius Slay Sr.
- Lowe shares a close bond with Darius Jr., who calls her his idol and best friend.
- Her son, just like her, became a parent at a young age.
Stephanie Lowe is From Georgia
She was born on February 14, 1978, in Brunswick, Georgia. For her education, she went to Brunswick High School. This is where she came across her baby’s father.
She fell in love really early in her life and became a mom at the age of 13. Becoming a mother at such an early age hindered her academics, and the focus of her life became her baby son.
Who Are Stephanie’s Parents And Siblings?
Stephanie is the daughter of Dorothy Walthour, who helped her raise Darius. It was Darius Jr.’s grandma Dorothy who took care of him while his mom and dad, who were barely even teenagers, tried finishing their high school education.
Stephanie Lowe’s Became a Mom At The Age Of 13!
Stephanie has a childhood love story. She fell in love with Darius Slay Sr. in her early teens, who was just a year older than her. While dating, the young couple became pregnant.
Eventually, on January 1st, 1991, the lovebirds gave birth to Darius Jr. in Brunswick, Georgia. When she gave birth to her son Darius Slay Jr., Stephanie was only 13 years old.
The young love didn’t last long though. Darius Sr. moved away when his son was very young, and poor Stephanie had to handle parenthood on her own. Darius rarely talks about his biological father, and neither does Stephanie.
Stephanie’s Baby Father Is Married To Someone Else
After Darius Slay Sr. left his teen love and son away, he exchanged vows with Miranda Oglesby Slay. They have a daughter named Darielle together.
Darius Sr. is currently working at Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen since 2019. He likes making breakfast and dinner for his wife Miranda and daughter Darielle.
On January 28, 2020, Darius Slay Sr. wrote on his Facebook that he watched his son Darius Jr. at the Pro Bowl. He also posted his son Darius Jr.’s baby photo on February 14, 2020, where he wrote,
I love u son and I’m so proud of you. Your growth has been amazing to watch. A perfect combo of me and your mom. Keep pushing young king I know you’re headed for greatness.
It looks that despite leaving his past family, he is still proud of his son’s success and wishes him all the best.
Stephanie Lowe’s Struggles
Stephanie fulfilled the role of a single mother, nurturing Slay while putting in a diligent effort to meet the family’s needs. Marked by difficulties encompassing financial hardships and health setbacks, Stephanie faced her fair share of struggles raising her son.
Nevertheless, she was able to instill principles of hard work, ethics, and determination in her son, which led to his accomplishments in the future. The unity and mutual support between Stephanie and her 13-year younger son persevered, binding the mother-son duo together.
Chances Of Stephanie’s Son Darius Getting Drafted To NFL Were Slim
Darius was still unclear about his football career when he found out he was going to be a dad. However, his mother encouraged him, telling him not to worry and to just focus on finishing school.
Eventually, he was blessed to get a scholarship to play football at Mississippi State. But playing in the NFL was not that easy.
Even though Slay eventually secured a scholarship to play at Mississippi State, Lowe was well aware that he was defying the odds, even as she continued to encourage and motivate him.
“I wasn’t looking forward to no NFL,” Slay said. He added,
I just liked playing ball. As I got older, I realized I could maybe be one of the guys in the NFL. I knew it was a small percentage chance. But the first thing my mom said is get your schoolwork done. There’s only like a 2% chance you can make it. But I felt real strong about my 2%, so I worked as hard as I could.
Despite being fully aware of the discouraging statistics – with the NCAA reporting that a mere 1.6% of college football players make it to the NFL draft – Lowe remained truthful with her son. And it paid off, Darius was selected by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
Darius Slay’s Mother Stephanie Is His Best Friend
Slay’s mother Stephanie has been by his side consistently, offering unwavering support throughout his life and career.
“She’s my best friend, she just explained a lot of things, and she was straight up with me,” Slay said. “She’s only 13 years older than me, so I kind of look at it like she’s my big sister. She taught me a lot of things, some stuff that a man didn’t teach me.”
He attributes the love and encouragement he has received throughout his life to his mother and has openly expressed his appreciation for Stephanie’s contribution to his achievements.
In addition, he has actively engaged in multiple endeavors aimed at assisting disadvantaged families and children, as a tribute to his own early life experiences and the obstacles his family has confronted.
“She’s a superwoman, I call her that.” Darius Slay said about his mother. “She’s my idol. As a motivation, right now, I’m just giving her the world that she deserves. I’m glad I’ve been able to do that for her.”
Darius Had A Child At A Young Age, Just Like His Mother Stephanie
It seemed like the cycle repeated itself when Darius Slay (who himself was born when his mother was 13 years old) became a father at a young age. His wife, Jennifer Slay was pregnant when he was just 23.
Being aware of the difficulties his mother had faced, Slay found it challenging to confess to her that he was on the verge of perpetuating the same cycle. So, she didn’t tell his mother about his wife Jennifer’s pregnancy till she was six months pregnant. But Stephanie found out on her own.
Now, Darius is a father of four: Darion, Demetrius, Trent, and Desirae. Luckily, he has been able to provide more for his children than her mother could, thanks to his successful career.
Stephanie Lowe’s Net Worth
Although not much is known about Stephanie Lowe’s profession and earnings, her 5-time Pro Bowl winner son Darius Slay has an approximate net worth of $25 million. So, it is fair to assume that she faces no financial difficulties and is blessed to live a life of luxury in the present.
