Back in September 1996, Antonio Freeman’s performance lit up the American football stage as his two touchdowns helped the Green Bay Packers to an impressive win at the Seattle Seahawks.
Months later he became a Super Bowl winner – the highest accolade an NFL player can achieve.
Fast forward almost 30 years and the name Freeman is creating headlines in Seattle once again but this time in a different sport, with his son Alex scoring his first World Cup goal on Friday to help the USA to a 2-0 win against Australia to seal their place in the knockouts.
“It’s a full circle family moment,” Alex Freeman said after the win.
“It shows how great the family tree is. It shows he can be great but I can be great in my own way and how amazing it is to have a dad that is successful and can mentor me to be ready for moments like these.”
Freeman senior is following his son every step of the way on this World Cup journey, having been seen beaming with pride at USA matches.
But given how NFL has long overshadowed football as the country’s most popular sport, it wasn’t easy for Alex to make the decision to initially pursue that path.
Unsure how his father would react, he was initially encouraged to pursue football by his mother and step father, who also acted his first coach in the game.
The 21-year-old defender revealed last year that he initially had to keep his love of football secret, but was glad he was ultimately encouraged to pursue his dream.
“It just shows how quick stuff can change and to not doubt yourself,” he added.
“Now I’m here, it shows you can never give up. Keep pushing and you never know what chance you’re going to get and how you can go and make stuff happen.
“You don’t know when this chance will come again.”
