Washington State University Athletics
Futbol Fathers
November 15, 2019 | Soccer
It is almost a tradition for young boys and girls to dream of growing up and becoming a professional athlete. Four fathers of current WSU Soccer players were able to live out their dream and play in the National Football League. As Dad's Weekend makes its annual appearance in Pullman this weekend, the soccer daughters of former NFL players reflected on what it was like growing up, and the lessons they learned.
Junior forward Elyse Bennett, graduate-student midfielder Averie Collins, and freshmen forwards Sophie Dimry and Skye McMillon are all daughters of former NFL players. This has helped them learn about life, achieving success, and what it is like to be a student-athlete.
For McMillon, she learned early in her life about working hard. "My dad would always take me out running when I was a young kid. I was the only one running at the time and I had no idea why he would make me do it. I just kept doing it." McMillon said. "Even on vacation my dad would make me run…there is no such thing as an off day in my family."
Her father, Todd McMillon, spent five seasons with the Chicago Bears before finishing his career with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.
Things were very similar for Dimry growing up. "My dad came from an athletic and competitive background, so he always pushed for my sister's and me to be the best we could be, whether it was in soccer or just life in general." Dimry said.
Her father, Charles Dimry, had an impressive twelve-year career as a defensive back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Atlanta Falcons, the Denver Broncos, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the then San Diego Chargers.
Despite being often thrust into the public spotlight, a lot of NFL players make sure their family comes first. "My dad was so calm, and he was never like 'Oh I am a professional athlete.'" Bennett said. "He's a great guy, and I just see my dad as being my dad."
Edgar Bennett, the father of Elyse, played seven seasons between the Green Bay Packers and the Bears. However, once he retired from playing, he worked in player personnel for the Packers for 25 years, before finishing his time with the Packers as their offensive coordinator. He is currently in his second season as the wide receiver's coach for the Oakland Raiders.
"If you dream big and work hard then good things are going to happen, and the two things you can control are effort and attitude," said Collins on some of the things her father taught her as she was growing up in Montana.
Her dad, Shane Collins, spent three seasons with the Washington Redskins before being traded to the San Francisco 49ers.
These four futbol daughters look to use these lessons as they hope to lead the WSU on a deep playoff run which starts tonight at the Lower Soccer Fields when the Cougs host Memphis in the first-round of the NCAA Tournament.
Junior forward Elyse Bennett, graduate-student midfielder Averie Collins, and freshmen forwards Sophie Dimry and Skye McMillon are all daughters of former NFL players. This has helped them learn about life, achieving success, and what it is like to be a student-athlete.
For McMillon, she learned early in her life about working hard. "My dad would always take me out running when I was a young kid. I was the only one running at the time and I had no idea why he would make me do it. I just kept doing it." McMillon said. "Even on vacation my dad would make me run…there is no such thing as an off day in my family."
Her father, Todd McMillon, spent five seasons with the Chicago Bears before finishing his career with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.
Things were very similar for Dimry growing up. "My dad came from an athletic and competitive background, so he always pushed for my sister's and me to be the best we could be, whether it was in soccer or just life in general." Dimry said.
Her father, Charles Dimry, had an impressive twelve-year career as a defensive back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Atlanta Falcons, the Denver Broncos, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the then San Diego Chargers.
Despite being often thrust into the public spotlight, a lot of NFL players make sure their family comes first. "My dad was so calm, and he was never like 'Oh I am a professional athlete.'" Bennett said. "He's a great guy, and I just see my dad as being my dad."
Edgar Bennett, the father of Elyse, played seven seasons between the Green Bay Packers and the Bears. However, once he retired from playing, he worked in player personnel for the Packers for 25 years, before finishing his time with the Packers as their offensive coordinator. He is currently in his second season as the wide receiver's coach for the Oakland Raiders.
"If you dream big and work hard then good things are going to happen, and the two things you can control are effort and attitude," said Collins on some of the things her father taught her as she was growing up in Montana.
Her dad, Shane Collins, spent three seasons with the Washington Redskins before being traded to the San Francisco 49ers.
These four futbol daughters look to use these lessons as they hope to lead the WSU on a deep playoff run which starts tonight at the Lower Soccer Fields when the Cougs host Memphis in the first-round of the NCAA Tournament.
Players Mentioned
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