Although DeeJay, the son of DeeJay Dallas, will turn one year old at the end of this month, the younger DeeJay already understands to raise his arms over his head if his father yells “touchdown.”

Dallas, a fourth-round selection from the University of Miami in the current draft, is among the Seahawks players who will celebrate their first Father’s Day as fathers on Sunday.

It was difficult at first, but we managed to get through it since I had my son back in camp for my last year of college,” Dallas stated over the phone. It’s a delight to watch him mature as he approaches his first year. Being present for each of his accomplishments is a blessing. He is the greatest gift that God has given me. As sportsmen, we all consider our skills to be gifts from God, but right now, my son is the greatest gift I’ve ever been given. It’s fortunate.

“Just seeing him grow up and experiencing all of his milestones. For me, that has been the most enjoyable aspect. The pleasure of being a father is truly encompassed by all those significant occasions.”

Dallas acknowledged that his son’s arrival had some influence on his choice to leave Miami early to join the NFL, but it wasn’t the only reason. These days, he strives to be the best version of himself—both as a father and an athlete—in order to care for his son.

“These days, all I can think about is how I can better myself for him,” he remarked. “I’m working to earn money so that I can invest in his future. Every day, I practice hard outside while thinking about him. I have to give him my best self. He has affected me in this way, just making me feel more pressing. He challenges me to be my best self.”

Quandre Diggs was not around for several of his daughter’s formative years. Ariya Marie was born in July, a few days before the start of training camp. Diggs and his fiancée, Abby Evans, agreed that Ariya would stay at home in Austin, Texas, where they have supportive family, because they knew Diggs would be busy and confined to a hotel during camp. Diggs was then transferred from Detroit to Seattle in October, which is even further away from Texas. However, when Ariya grew older and was able to travel, she and Evans visited Seattle on multiple occasions, including for Christmas and Thanksgiving.