For Desmond Trufant, playing professional football isn’t just his job — it’s a family affair.
Trufant and his older brothers, Marcus Trufant and Isaiah Trufant, were gifted with athletic abilities that led all three from Tacoma, Wash., to playing cornerback in the NFL.
Isaiah Trufant said the work ethic and athletic ability that he and his brothers possess comes naturally and allowed them to succeed in a role very few get a chance to hold.
“It just kind of seemed like athletics clicked for us early on,” Trufant said. “Our parents put us in athletics young.”
All of the Trufant brothers received the encouragement early from their parents, Lloyd and Constance Trufant.
Marcus Trufant said although his parents had their hands full with three boys and providing for the family, they were always around to offer encouragement and motivation.
“You started something, you have to get through it and you have to give it your all,” Trufant said. “They were always there to support, and they always wanted us to do our best.”
The Trufant brothers played sports year-round at early ages, naturally exhibiting athletic excellence and competitiveness over athletes their age.
Isaiah Trufant said he and his brothers were always “a step ahead” of the other athletes in their age group in several sports. Trufant said that natural ability has followed Desmond Trufant, the youngest brother, from his elementary-school track and field team to playing cornerback for the Falcons.
Isaiah Trufant said he and his eldest brother Marcus Trufant still joke about when they saw the first glimmer of Desmond Trufant’s competitive edge.
“This was preschool or first grade and you could already see the competitive nature in him,” Isaiah Trufant said. “He was to the point where he wanted to win so bad, he was talking himself through a race like ‘I’m going to beat you’ as he (ran the) race.”
Not only did his older brothers observe Desmond Trufant’s competitiveness and athletic ability, but they also noticed his advanced mental comprehension of the game. Marcus Trufant said there was a noticeable difference in Desmond Trufant’s mental game at a young age.
“He was naturally gifted, and he could do things that a lot of kids his age couldn’t do,” Trufant said. “A lot of it just came naturally, but the mental side of the game kind of (became most powerful) when he got to college.”
Desmond Trufant said being a step ahead of his peers largely came from watching his older brothers play college and professional football as he grew up, knowing he wanted to be in their shoes.
Marcus Trufant played with the Seattle Seahawks for most of his career. He was the 11th pick in the 2003 NFL Draft out of Washington State.
Desmond Trufant said Marcus Trufant’s experience influenced him in every way, paving the way for a similar path when he was drafted 22nd in 2013.
“He kind of just left a blueprint for me,” Trufant said. “As a man, as a player, as a person — he’s definitely influenced me, and he’s shown me how to make it to this point because he obviously did it.”
However, Desmond Trufant said Isaiah Trufant was able to guide and influence him in a distinct way.
Isaiah Trufant was undrafted out of Eastern Washington in 2006. He started playing indoor minor league football, advancing from league to league in hopes of one day reaching the NFL.
After six seasons of pursuing his dream, Trufant earned the honor of defensive player of the year for the United Football League. From his recognition with the UFL, Trufant was invited to work out with the New York Jets in 2010, leading him to sign with the team.
“There was a point where I was only making $200 a game in the Arena II (developmental) football league,” he said. “There were a lot of discouraging things I had to get through, and I just kept persevering through it. With the encouragement and support of my family and brothers I was able to do that.”
Desmond Trufant said watching his brother’s determination despite the setbacks and years of pursuing his dream only made him more determined to pursue his own dream.
“(Isaiah) is the most athletic out of all of us, but he’s the shortest and smallest, so he was kind of overlooked,” Trufant said. “He showed me just the grind that you have to put in.”
Although all three brothers ended up in similar sports in their career, he said their successes are not what bond them.
“We don’t really talk about football that much,” Trufant said. “We’re just like any other brothers. We love each other and got each others’ backs.”
With all their hard work and determination, Marcus Trufant said none of the brothers could have predicted they would all end up in the same place, but playing cornerback in the NFL was a natural fit for each Trufant brother.
“I think the position just kind of chose us,” Marcus Trufant said. “It’s really cool that we can all play the same corner because you know, it’s still a (friendly) competition.”
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