Long before Derick Hall became a Super Bowl champion, he was a tiny baby fighting for his life.
Born four months early in March 2001, Derick weighed just 2 pounds, 9 ounces, and was given only a 1% chance to survive. Doctors warned his mother that he might not live, and if he did, he might never walk or talk. He spent his first five months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), connected to machines and watched over by nurses and doctors who cared for him every day.
But his life was precious from the beginning — and his mother, Stacy, believed in him no matter what.
“I just wanted him to have a normal life where he could walk and talk and feed himself,” she told PEOPLE. “I was just thinking, Lord, let him make it through the night. And here we are 22 years later.”
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Against all odds, Derick survived. He learned to walk. He learned to talk. He grew stronger every day. His foundation describes his life this way: he overcame what seemed impossible, becoming a living example of what can happen when a child’s life is cherished and given a chance.
As Derick grew up, the same love and support that helped him survive became the foundation for his future. When asked who his biggest inspiration is, Derick doesn’t hesitate: “Hands down, my mom. My mom is my hero.”
Stacy has also shared her advice for families facing similar struggles: “Be an advocate for your baby, enjoy every moment, and celebrate every win, no matter how little it may be… Know that God is a healer.” Her faith carried her through the hardest moments, and she is still grateful today for the care her son received.
This year, Derick’s story came full circle in one of the most unforgettable ways.
Derick helped his team, the Seattle Seahawks, win the Super Bowl, the biggest game in American football, on February 8, 2026. Seattle defeated the New England Patriots 29–13, and Derick played a big part in that victory, including making key plays that helped his team score. After the game, he embraced his mother on the field, a powerful image of the journey they’ve shared together.
For many people, that Super Bowl win wasn’t just a sports achievement. It was a celebration of a life that almost didn’t happen.
Derick’s life reminds us that every child deserves a chance, no matter how small or sick they may be. A difficult start does not mean a Life without purpose or joy. His story shows that when we value precious babies and stand with moms who choose Life, beautiful and unexpected things can happen.
From a baby in a NICU, to a young man playing on the world’s biggest stage, to a Super Bowl champion — Derick Hall is a testimony to hope, faith, and the truth that every life is worth fighting for.
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