Nasir Adderley is a former American football safety who played for four seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the Los Angeles Chargers. He retired from football at the age of 25 in 2023, after his contract with the Chargers expired.
Herb Adderley was a Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback who played for 12 seasons in the NFL for the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys. He won six NFL titles, including three Super Bowls, and was a five-time Pro Bowler and a five-time All-Pro. He died in 2020 at the age of 81.
But are Nasir and Herb Adderley related? The answer is yes, they are third cousins. Here is how they are connected and what they have in common.
The Adderley Family Tree
According to Wikipedia, Nasir and Herb Adderley share a common ancestor in their great-great-grandfather, Nelson Adderley, who was born in 1864 in Nassau, Bahamas.
Nelson Adderley had a son named Herbert Allen Adderley Sr., who was born in 1895 in Nassau and moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1919. He married Reva White and had six children, including Herbert Allen Adderley Jr., who was born in 1939 and became known as Herb Adderley, the NFL star.
Herbert Allen Adderley Sr. also had a daughter named Ruth Adderley, who was born in 1921 in Philadelphia. She married Charles Brown and had four children, including Charles Brown Jr., who was born in 1955 and became known as Chuck Brown, a singer and guitarist who is considered the “Godfather of Go-Go”, a subgenre of funk music that originated in Washington, D.C.
Chuck Brown had a daughter named Ria Brown, who was born in 1976 and became known as Ria Adderley, after taking her mother’s maiden name. She married Allan Adderley, who was a distant cousin of hers and also a descendant of Nelson Adderley. They had two children, including Nasir Allan Adderley, who was born in 1997 and became known as Nasir Adderley, the NFL player.
Therefore, Nasir and Herb Adderley are third cousins, as they share the same great-great-grandfather, Nelson Adderley.
The Adderley Legacy
Nasir and Herb Adderley are not the only members of their family who have achieved fame and success in their respective fields. Besides Chuck Brown, who was a pioneer of go-go music and a Grammy nominee, there are other notable relatives of theirs.
For example, Nelson Adderley’s brother, Julian “Cannonball” Adderley, was a jazz saxophonist who played with Miles Davis and John Coltrane and won several Grammy awards. His brother, Nathaniel “Nat” Adderley, was also a jazz musician who played the cornet and trumpet and composed several jazz standards.
Another cousin of Nasir and Herb Adderley is Lamont Dozier, who is a songwriter and producer who was part of the Motown team Holland-Dozier-Holland that wrote hits for artists like The Supremes, The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, and The Isley Brothers. He is also a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Additionally, Nasir’s sister Nia Amina Carter is an actress and singer who has appeared in several films and TV shows, including The Wire, The Chi, Empire, Black Lightning, and Chicago P.D. She also released an EP titled Love Jones in 2019 under the stage name Nia Amina. [9]
The Adderley Connection
Nasir and Herb Adderley have both expressed their admiration and respect for each other’s accomplishments and careers.
Nasir has said that he grew up watching Herb’s highlights and learning from his style of play. He also said that he was honored to wear the same jersey number as Herb (26) when he played for the Chargers. He said that Herb was his inspiration and motivation to pursue his football dreams. [10]
Herb has said that he was proud of Nasir’s achievements and potential as a football player. He also said that he was happy to see him follow his footsteps and play in the NFL. He said that Nasir had the talent and the passion to succeed in the league. [11]
Nasir and Herb have also met several times over the years and have shared their stories and experiences with each other. They have also supported each other through their challenges and difficulties, such as injuries and retirements. [10] [11]
Nasir and Herb Adderley are more than just third cousins. They are also part of a family that has left a lasting mark on the world of sports, music, and entertainment. They are also examples of how hard work, dedication, and talent can lead to greatness.
