Robert Woods, an accomplished wide receiver in the NFL, has faced personal challenges beyond the football field, including the loss of his father, Robert Woods Sr., in 2017. Robert Woods Sr. passed away after a battle with cancer, a devastating loss for the Woods family. He had been a strong influence in Robert’s life, guiding and supporting him throughout his journey in football.
Woods Sr. was not only a dedicated father but also a former Marine, instilling in Robert the values of discipline, hard work, and perseverance. His passing had a profound impact on the young NFL star, but it also motivated Robert to honor his father’s legacy on and off the field. Robert Woods has spoken about how his father’s strength and resilience continue to inspire him in his career, as well as his determination to succeed in his memory.
While Robert Sr.’s death was due to cancer, the specifics of the type or duration of his illness were not widely publicized. However, Robert Woods has often expressed the deep connection he had with his father and the significant role he played in shaping both his personal and professional life. This loss is a poignant reminder of the challenges athletes face behind the scenes, balancing personal grief with the demands of professional sports.
Robert Woods has consistently honored his father’s memory both publicly and privately, drawing inspiration from the values and lessons Robert Woods Sr. instilled in him. In the years following his father’s passing, Woods has dedicated much of his success to his father, often mentioning him during interviews and after major achievements.
1. Inspiration on the Field
Robert Woods has credited his father as one of the primary reasons for his success in football. Growing up, Robert Woods Sr. was a major figure in his son’s athletic development, attending games and practices and pushing him to always strive for excellence. His father’s military background, having served as a Marine, left a lasting impression on Woods, who admired his father’s discipline, strength, and resilience. Woods often draws on these values, seeing them as core components of his success as an NFL wide receiver.
Woods’ father was also a strong advocate of Robert pursuing his dreams in the NFL, and this encouragement has stayed with him. Since his father’s death, Woods has used football as a way to channel his emotions, often saying that playing the game helps him feel connected to his dad. Each game is, in some sense, played in his father’s honor, and every touchdown or accomplishment on the field is viewed as a tribute to the man who supported him from the very beginning.
2. Mental Strength and Motivation
The loss of Robert Woods Sr. in 2017 came as Robert was still establishing himself in the NFL, shortly after joining the Los Angeles Rams. His father’s battle with cancer had been ongoing, and while the passing was heartbreaking, Woods turned to football as a source of comfort. In interviews, he has discussed how the grief of losing his father fueled his desire to succeed even more, saying he felt as though he was playing for two people — himself and his dad.
This drive has been visible in Woods’ performances on the field. His reputation for being a disciplined, hard-working, and reliable player can be traced back to the foundation his father set in his life. The strength and resilience Robert Woods Sr. demonstrated during his battle with cancer have also served as motivation for Robert, who has used his father’s example to persevere through challenges both on and off the field.
3. Community and Charitable Work
In addition to honoring his father through football, Robert Woods has become involved in various charitable efforts aimed at cancer research and awareness. He has supported causes related to cancer patients and their families, understanding firsthand the emotional and financial toll the disease can take on loved ones. Woods has taken part in events and fundraisers to support these initiatives, further solidifying his commitment to keeping his father’s memory alive.
One of the notable ways Woods continues his father’s legacy is through the NFL’s “My Cause, My Cleats” campaign, where players design custom cleats to represent causes they care about. Woods has designed cleats in honor of cancer awareness, specifically to bring attention to the battle his father fought and to support those still affected by the disease.
4. Personal Growth
Robert Woods has also emphasized that his father’s death allowed him to grow emotionally. Dealing with such a significant loss at a relatively young age forced him to confront deep grief while still maintaining his career and public persona. Over the years, Woods has expressed that while the pain of losing his father hasn’t diminished, it has given him a greater sense of purpose. His dedication to his family, particularly his wife and growing family, reflects the values his father instilled in him.
Woods often reflects on how his father’s teachings guide his approach to life, both personally and professionally. He has made it clear that his father’s legacy lives on not just in his football career but in how he carries himself as a person.
5. Legacy in Football and Life
To Robert Woods, his father’s legacy transcends the football field. It’s about how he handles adversity, builds relationships, and approaches life with humility and determination. He continues to speak about how his father’s spirit motivates him every day, shaping the man and player he has become. Whether through his actions on the field or his charitable work off of it, Robert Woods keeps his father’s memory alive, using the strength and love his father gave him as a constant source of inspiration.
In essence, Robert Woods’ dedication to his father’s memory serves as a reminder of the powerful role parents can play in shaping their children, and how even after they’re gone, their impact continues to guide and inspire.
