I could sit here, and name drop some amazing new players in the NFL who have captivated coaches, scouts and fans all over the country. But everyone else is already doing that. You might recognize the name D’Andre Swift, but what do you know about his family? What do you know about where their drive and passion for the sport of football came from? This story answers that with one simple noun: dad.

“Being a dad is one of the best things I could ask for in this life. You not only get to love and nurture this cild that is 50% you, but you also get to watch them take that love and knowledge that you instilled upon them and apply it to their life. Watching D’Andre grow up and being right by his side, is one of the greatest joys I could ask for. Not every young man has this type of support from a father figure in their lives, so I want to make sure I give back to the community that helped me to raise my son.” – Darren Swift (D’Andre’s father)

Let’s meet Darren Swift, not only the father of a great NFL player, but a mentor and leader for many others who are chasing a similar college or professional sports dream themselves. The dream for D’Andre to play in the NFL didn’t just start when they were young…it started more than 30 years ago on the little league football field in South Philadelphia.

Darren Swift played football for as a long as he could remember throughout his youth, and he had his good friend Mark Webb Sr. right beside him. Mark is also the father of a current NFL player, the same age as D’Andre, and the two have supported each other from the pee-wee football league, throughout their son’s high school and college careers and now their son’s professional careers. 

These two dads boast decades of friendship, and it was just their luck that they had sons the same age who developed the strong love for football that their father’s shared. And beyond that, the two boys were able to play college ball together at University of Georgia. That drive and passion for football from their dad’s followed them all the way from Philadelphia to Athens and now the NFL.

Mark explains that he didn’t realize how important it was to show up and support his son. It was something that came naturally to him, but it wasn’t until his son’s college days that someone made him aware of the value he brings by coming to the games.

But some may still be skeptical about the true impact or importance of a dad or father figure for collegiate and professional athletes. Yes, someone like D’Andre Swift has unmatched raw talent on the football field and dominates the running back position, but where did he get that raw talent from and how did he develop into the player he is today? 

Darren Swift is a big part of that reason. 

Now, check out this video of Darren.

See those ripped arms and tons of muscle? That is a show of pure dedication on his end. And despite looking like he could beat up anyone or their dad, he is a kind soul that wants to spread his knowledge and passion for fitness with others. His wife Ayanna says that Darren “has the heart of a teddy bear.”

Swift owns the Swift Fit gym in North Philadelphia near where his son attended high school. While D’Andre was fortunate to have Swifts love, support and expertise at home, Swift Fit has allowed Darren to work with and train everyone from aspiring NFL players like D’Andre to up-and-coming high school players in the Philly to anyone looking get in shape. 

Not only has the gym offered him a space to train himself and his son and share his passion for fitness, but it also created a space where young men from any background can come and get the support from a father-figure like Darren.

“That was something that I just love about him. He wants to put out his hand and grab some others up. And I think a lot of young men need that today because there’s just not as much of a strong or full relationship in the home. It is getting there, but there’s still a lot of work left to be done,” his wife Ayanna explained. “When he has kids in the gym and he’s talking to these young boys and these young men, we see that we still have a lot of single moms bringing them in there…So I think he does impact their decision-making because he’s very truthful with, you know, if you don’t get it together, this is the path you’re going to end up at. And he’s pretty much in your face. There’s no hold bar on that.”

Even in the training space, there is still a coaching mechanism attached to the way Darren approaches the young men he trains. While he may not be coaching them on the field, he coaches them in life and offers them a listening ear and a hub for advice. Ayanna likened his relationship with the boys to that of a barber or hairdresser. “You instantly become someone’s ear, you know, or their counselor. And that’s what comes out of somebody’s sessions [with Darren]. Their real-life experiences, some things that they’re battling…he can get enough time to speak into their ear and hopefully impact the decisions that they have to make when they’re not around any adult men, you know, when trying to navigate through this world called life.”

Mark Sr. explained how found the value of his own fatherhood through meeting and working with other young men who didn’t have that same level support as his son Mark Jr. and D’Andre.

That relationship is really what it’s all about, right. Each one teaches one. If we all do our part, it does matter it, and it does add up. And Darren doesn’t only apply this mentality to his son and the young men that step through the door at Swift Fit, but also to two lovely ladies in his life.

D’Andre isn’t Darren’s only child. In addition to hundreds of youths and teens he has supported and nurtured throughout the years, he has two talented daughters. While his daughters aren’t necessarily following in their older brother’s steps on the football field, Darren is equally as loving and dedicated to their passions whether it be art or cheerleading.

Darren and Ayanna have worked to build a foundation of trust and faith in all their children. Throughout D’Andre’s college recruiting process, they were very involved in ensuring that their son was never mistreated by programs who put their interest above their son’s. Supporting him throughout his college career at Georgia, Darren and Ayanna are always by their son’s side, working to attend every game they can even if it means a long day of travel. 

Ayanna spoke about Darren, “was actually the one that had the pompoms in his hand…he’s actually one of his number one fans.” Darren has always been D’Andre’s biggest supporter, but their relationship has grown into something very meaningful over the years.

“Watching that relationship grow…it has absolutely gotten much stronger as the D’Andre has gotten older. Like most kids, I just think it takes them some time to kind of get to a comfortable level with their parents,” Ayanna said. “I’ve seen Dre invest in his father as well as his father invested in him. And that’s big because it just is a testament to not only like, wow, what Darren has been depositing means something. But you can also begin to see some things manifest and unfold in front of you where he [D’Andre] can deposit into his father.”

That connection and growth comes from many of the things Ayanna and Darren love about their relationship and each other, and have worked to pass those qualities down to their children. 

Darren would do anything for his children, whether that just means showing up or offering them words of encouragements in times where things might not go exactly as planned. In a post on the eve of D’Andre’s draft selection, Darren referenced a gospel song in an Instagram post dedicated to his son’s success. 

“TODAY IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HATH MADE, LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT. TODAY IS THE START OF A LIFE CHANGING DECISION THATS MADE, BUT WE DONT CONTROL ANY OF IT. I ASK GOD TO PUT DRE WITH A TEAM THAT WILL USE HIM AND HIS ABILITIES, TO THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. THIS IS A BIG DAY FOR OUR FAMILY, BUT MORE SO FOR D’ANDRE, AS TODAYS DECISIONS WILL FOREVER IMPACT AND CHANGE HIS LIFE. THIS IS WHAT ITS ALL BEEN FOR, THE WORKOUTS, THE PRACTICES, LATE-NIGHT TRAINING, MISSING OUT ON PARTIES AND TRIPS, EVERYTHING THAT WAS MISSED, WAS FOR THIS MOMENT RIGHT HERE. WE LOVE YOU CHAMP, NOW GO AND FINSH FULFILLING YOUR DREAMS.”

Darren Swift (Instagram)

Faith not only in themselves and family but also in God is something very important to the Swift family. This faith and family bond is what has carried Darren through some pivotal moments in life. 

One of the biggest moments was the removal of a grapefruit sized tumor that was impressing on Darren’s carotid artery in 2019. In an Instagram post from March of that year, Darren finally shared the story of his tumor with his thousands of followers. He explained that he didn’t tell many people about undergoing this procedure because he didn’t want to burden them, a testament to his kind and considerate heart. 

Ayanna, Darren’s wife, was the one who discovered the tumor after many routine doctors’ visits and tests missed it. Not only is Darren grateful to his family and God for carrying him through this, but he is an advocate for men listening to their bodies and not being afraid to ask for help.

This is a family that sticks by each other and supports each other through every stage of life. Because of this fatherly love, faith and family support, D’Andre is able to bring and share a foundation of trust and hard work every single day whether his is grinding or the field, in the classroom or in his friendships and relationships. 

D’Andre and his sisters never have to worry whether they will be supported in their goals and dreams. Darren Swift is always right there, powered through faith, love and the support from his queen Ayanna.

“Being a parent is really a thankless, relentless job, and when you see the manifestation of what you deposited unfold in front of your eyes, it melts your heart,” Ayanna said. “It’s like the best thing since sliced bread, because you know that at the end of the day, they’re just going in the right path. It’s not even us receiving things from them, but the fact that they have done something to supply and give back…it’s just like the best thing a parent can witness. You want them to do good as you…honestly you want them to do better than you.”

When D’Andre announced his commitment to the University of Georgia with the hype video down below, it is Darren who pulls up next to his son walking down the street riding a custom motorcycle. 

Darren is a father. But he is also a motorcyclist, trainer, mentor, leader, husband and friend. And on top of all of that, he is a absolute badass with crazy ripped arms who looks like he should be going #1 in the 2022 NFL Draft.

So, what is the true importance of father’s and father figures on the gridiron? Father figures in general?

Let’s leave it to Darren to answer that.

“Fathers aren’t just important while their children are on the field or just when their children make it big in college or professional. Being a father figure starts as soon as you have that child. There are many people who are dads…but not everyone is a father figure. It means supporting your child through every stepping stone and every emotion on their way to becoming the best version of themselves. For many young men, sports are the area that allow them to make it out….to do something positive and fulfilling. But it’s not just the gridiron or the football or the raw talent that makes the athletes great…it is the men behind the scene who are willing to listen, willing to support and willing to be a good example for what it means to be a man.”