I'm a Mormon, Polynesian Father, and Former NFL Player

My name is Gabe W. P. Reid.

I’m an ex-NFL player.

I fumbled in Super Bowl.

Born and raised in American Samoa,

I don’t think there’s anything like it.

First of all, I have to tell my parents
I take my hat off to them.

Now that I’m a father of four,
I don’t know how they did it.

This is my son.

He’s my only hope for a football player.

He’s my only boy.

Milo was born when I was playing for BYU.

Jaden Belle, she was born
when I played for Tennessee Titans.

Adney was born in Chicago
when I played for the Bears,

and this is my retirement baby -

she was born when I was
done playing football.

When my wife and I talk
about our NFL career,

we talk about the lessons
we learned through the hard times.

I literally, seriously wanted
to quit so many times -

didn’t get drafted.

I was on three different teams
all my rookie year.

I’m on the practice squad -

this is really tough.

I’m really throwing in the towel.

I thought if I quit,

how am I ever gonna tell my kids
in the future "don't be a quitter”?

I got down on my knees and said,

“Okay, I’m gonna change my attitude
and be grateful for the opportunity.”

So I did, went out to practice that day,

and literally three days later,

I got a call from my agent saying

“Hey, you just got activated
by the Chicago Bears.”

My relationship with my wife
and my kids is so much stronger

because of the experience we had in NFL.

What I love most about being a dad
is just seeing your kids happy.

Can you blow a kiss?

We love to go on hikes.

Last week they were complaining
halfway through, and I said,

“Look, I promise you, when we
get to the top, it'll be worth it.”

Sure enough, when we got to the top,

they said, “Dad, this is awesome!”

To see them do something difficult,

and to see them overcome it
and to accomplish that,

to see the confidence that it builds,

that’s something very rewarding to me.

I’m Polynesian.

I’m an ex-NFL player.

I’m a father of four beautiful children
and husband of a wonderful wife.

My name is Gabe W. P. Reid,

and I’m a Mormon.