Deshaun Watson was born in Gainesville, Georgia, to Deann Watson and Don Richardson. Unlike other children, the NFL athlete bears his mother’s surname because he was raised by himself.

In addition, numerous reports indicate that Watson never met his father. Nonetheless, Don has been an absent figure in his children’s lives since they were children.

Deshaun and his siblings grew raised without a father figure in their life, and the family subsisted solely on their mother’s earnings. They formerly resided in a government-owned apartment.

The Watsons not only overcame financial difficulties, but Deann also battled cancer. The athlete was a sophomore in high school when she was diagnosed with stage-five tongue cancer in 2011. Her tongue had to be surgically removed in the end.

Deann needed therapy in Atlanta, which was about 50 miles from their Gainesville home. Deshaun’s aunt and uncle, Sonia and Terri Watson, frequently hosted the Watson children while his mother received treatment.

Deshaun and his siblings, Sonia told Sports Illustrated, were instrumental in his mother’s perseverance.