If you are a fan of American football, you might have heard of two players with the same last name: Dorial Green-Beckham and Odell Beckham Jr. Both of them are wide receivers who have played in the NFL, and both of them have made headlines for their talent and their troubles. But are they related? Do they share a common ancestry? Or is it just a coincidence that they have the same surname?
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The Origin of the Beckham Name
According to Ancestry, the name Beckham is of English origin, derived from a place name meaning “homestead by the stream” It is a fairly common surname in England, especially in the counties of Norfolk and Essex Some of the earliest records of the name date back to the 13th century, when Robert de Bekham and William de Bekham were mentioned in the Hundred Rolls of Norfolk and Essex, respectively
The name Beckham is also found in other countries, such as Ireland, Scotland, and the United States. However, it is not clear how these Beckhams are related to the English ones, or if they are at all. Some sources suggest that the Irish Beckhams are descended from Anglo-Norman settlers who arrived in Ireland in the 12th century, while others claim that they are of Scottish origin The American Beckhams may have come from various sources, such as immigrants from England, Ireland, or Scotland, or slaves who adopted their masters’ names.
The Family History of Dorial Green-Beckham
Dorial Green-Beckham was born on April 12, 1993, in St. Louis, Missouri He is the son of Charmelle Green and Jerry Beckham. His parents were never married, and he did not have a stable home life growing up. He was exposed to drugs, violence, and poverty, and he was often in trouble with the law. He was taken away from his mother by the state when he was 11 years old, and he lived in various foster homes until he was adopted by John and Tracy Beckham when he was 15
John and Tracy Beckham are white, while Dorial is black. They gave him their last name as a sign of love and acceptance. They also supported his athletic career, as he became a star football player at Hillcrest High School in Springfield, Missouri. He was ranked as the number one recruit in the nation by Rivals.com in 2012, and he chose to play college football at Missouri
However, his troubles did not end there. He was involved in several incidents that led to his dismissal from Missouri in 2014. He transferred to Oklahoma, but he was not eligible to play there due to NCAA rules. He decided to enter the 2015 NFL Draft instead, where he was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the second round. He played for the Titans for one season before being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2016. He played for the Eagles for another season before being released in 2017. He has not played in the NFL since then.
The Family History of Odell Beckham Jr.
Odell Beckham Jr. was born on November 5, 1992, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana He is the son of Odell Beckham Sr. and Heather Van Norman. His parents were both athletes who played college football at LSU. His father was a running back who played for the Tigers from 1989 to 1992, while his mother was a sprinter who won six SEC championships and competed in the 1992 Olympic Trials
Odell Jr. inherited his parents’ athletic genes and excelled in football, basketball, and track at Isidore Newman School in New Orleans. He was also ranked as one of the top recruits in the nation by various outlets, and he followed his parents’ footsteps by choosing to play college football at LSU. He had a stellar career with the Tigers, earning All-American and All-SEC honors in 2013. He also won the Paul Hornung Award as the most versatile player in college football that year.
He entered the 2014 NFL Draft and was selected by the New York Giants in the first round. He quickly became one of the best wide receivers in the league, breaking several rookie records and making spectacular catches that earned him fame and accolades. He was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2014 and made three consecutive Pro Bowls from 2014 to 2016.
However, he also had his share of controversies and injuries that affected his performance and reputation. He was involved in several on-field altercations with opponents, such as Josh Norman and Alec Ogletree. He was also criticized for his off-field behavior, such as skipping OTAs, partying in Miami before a playoff game, and appearing in a video with a model and a suspicious substance. He suffered a fractured ankle in 2017 that ended his season, and he was traded to the Cleveland Browns in 2019. He played for the Browns for two seasons before being released in 2021. He then signed with the Los Angeles Rams, where he helped them win Super Bowl LVI over the Cincinnati Bengals. He spent the 2022 season out of football while rehabbing an ACL injury he sustained in the Super Bowl before signing with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023.
The Answer to the Question
So, is Dorial Green-Beckham related to Odell Beckham Jr? The answer is no. They are not blood relatives, nor do they share a common ancestry. They just happen to have the same surname, which is not uncommon in the world of sports. There are many other examples of athletes with the same last name who are not related, such as Michael Jordan and DeAndre Jordan, Peyton Manning and Eli Manning, and Tom Brady and Kyle Brady.
However, that does not mean that they have nothing in common. They both have overcome adversity and achieved success in their chosen field. They both have faced challenges and controversies that have tested their character and resilience. They both have shown flashes of brilliance and potential that have captivated fans and critics alike.
They may not be related by blood, but they are related by football. And that is something that they can both be proud of.
