Raleigh native, Seahawks WR Dareke Young's mom reflects on 'surreal' Super Bowl journeyTravon MilesThu, February 5, 2026 at 1:38 AM UTC·3 min readWhen the Seattle Seahawks take the field on Super Bowl Sunday, Dareke Young won't just be carrying a helmet - he'll be carrying years of sacrifice, faith, and belief from a village that started back home in North Carolina.
For his mom, the moment still doesn't feel real.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"It's been surreal," said Toinette Young, Dareke's mom. "Some days I still have to pinch myself."
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young warms up before an NFL game against the Carolina Panthers on Dec. 28 in Charlotte. Rusty JonesRaised in southeast Raleigh and a graduate of Middle Creek High School in Apex, Dareke Young's path to the NFL wasn't a traditional one. He went on to play college football at Lenoir-Rhyne University, a Division II program in Hickory -- a place usually far from the national spotlight.
"That was not something he talked about growing up," his mom said. "Like, 'I want to be a professional football player.' It probably wasn't until his junior year in college that it started to feel like it could become a reality."
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHe told me it probably won't feel real until he steps on the field. And it'll probably be the same for me.
What never wavered was his work ethic. After being drafted by Seattle in the seventh round, Young faced an entirely new challenge -- moving across the country and adjusting to the speed and pressure of the NFL.
"It was an adjustment getting drafted by Seattle," she said. "He was just two and a half hours away from home in college. Now he was across the country, adjusting to a faster pace and a whole different level of football."
The transition wasn't easy, but belief carried him through.
"Faith was instilled in him at a very early age," she said. "And I think he played with a chip on his shoulder -- coming from a D-2 school, being drafted in the seventh round. He had to believe in himself and push himself."
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNow a wide receiver and key special teams contributor, Young has made his impact felt in critical moments -- including a fumble recovery in the NFC Championship that helped send Seattle to the Super Bowl.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young recovers a fumbled punt return by Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Xavier Smith during the NFC Championship on Jan. 25, in Seattle. Lindsey Wasson"My mom and I were at the game," she said, laughing. "We went absolutely bonkers. Everybody around us did too."
As a football mom, Sundays are still nerve-wracking.
"I am nervous," she admitted. "I think once I fly out Friday and get around the other moms, it'll be better. We're all full of jitters and excitement."
That bond among Seahawks moms has become its own support system.
"We have corporate prayer every game day," she said. "We have a chat we're in constantly. It's been extremely supportive -- it helps having other people experiencing the same thing."
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAs Super Bowl week unfolds, balance has been the biggest challenge -- continuing everyday life while preparing for the biggest game of her son's career.
When kickoff finally arrives, reality may hit both of them at the same time.
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"He told me it probably won't feel real until he steps on the field," she said. "And it'll probably be the same for me."
Back home, Raleigh is ready. Watch parties are planned across the area, and the support hasn't gone unnoticed.
"When I tell you Raleigh has really gotten behind my family -- it's been incredible," she said.
And when asked for a prediction?
"We're going to be on the side of the confetti," she said with a smile. "Seattle."
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