A Philadelphia Eagles legend has achieved what few fathers can claim: watching both of his sons reach the National Football League. Jeremiah Trotter, the Eagles Hall of Famer who terrorized opposing offenses as an All-Pro linebacker, now has two sons playing professional football after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Josiah Trotter in the second round of this year's draft on Friday.
The younger Trotter joins his older brother, Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Jr., in the league. Josiah played college football at West Virginia and Missouri before hearing his name called by the Buccaneers, completing a journey his father said he envisioned years ago.
"I'm still on Cloud 9. My feet haven't hit the ground yet," Trotter Sr. said in an interview with TMZ Sports. The former linebacker, who established himself as one of the premier defensive players of his era, expressed profound gratitude for his sons' achievements while maintaining they will surpass his own accomplishments.
"I'm so grateful to God that he gave them the athletic ability, the body types, the work ethic, the character, which is most important," Trotter said. He emphasized that his pride extends beyond their athletic prowess, telling his sons: "Forget about football, I'm proud of the young men you guys have become and the character young men you have become. And also, it means that the Trotter name means a lot to them."
The celebration carries bittersweet undertones. Trotter's wife, Tammi, passed away from cancer in February 2023, and will not witness this milestone in person. However, her husband knows precisely how she would have responded to Friday's draft news.
"She'd be sitting on the other side of Josiah and just cheering, and elated. She was just the ultimate team mom. She would have been super proud," Trotter said. He revealed that he prayed for this outcome during his wife's pregnancies, stating: "I know what I prayed for, when their mom was pregnant, 'God, give them everything you gave me, just double it.'"
Despite his own decorated career, which included All-Pro honors and eventual induction into the Eagles Hall of Fame, Trotter maintains unwavering confidence that his sons will eclipse his achievements. "I've been telling them since they was little, that they were gonna be better than me and I believe that 1,000% that they both, both are gonna be better than me," he said.
The Trotter family's football legacy now spans generations, with Jeremiah Jr. already establishing himself with the Eagles and Josiah beginning his professional journey with the Buccaneers. For Philadelphia fans who remember the elder Trotter's ferocious play and leadership, watching the next generation carry the family name into the NFL represents a continuation of excellence that transcends the game itself.
Trotter Sr. described himself as "truly blessed" to witness both sons achieve their NFL dreams, a testament to their dedication, character, and the foundation established by their parents. As the proud father remains on "Cloud 9," the football world watches to see whether his bold prediction about his sons surpassing his legacy will come to fruition.