Ray-Ray McCloud went from Hillsborough County's top player to a national champ. Now, the Tampa native is looking to add another award to the list as he plays in this weekend's Super Bowl as a San Francisco 49er.
His mother, Lisa McCloud, said he started making a name for himself at just 3 years old.
“Any ball that he touched whether it was football, basketball, baseball he was just you know at the top of his game,” she said.
Lisa said that's the case for all of her children.
“All of the brothers just gravitated towards sports and then my daughter, as well,” she added.
Ray-Ray McCloud set the bar high, playing both defense and offense. He also dominated at Tampa's Sickles High School on and off the field.
“He graduated with lots of honors and not just football, but academics at the top of his class. He's just always remained very humble. He knows that it's a God-given talent,” Lisa explained.
These morals helped this hometown kid.
“Tampa, it's his grassroots,” the football star's mom said.
After Sickles, he went to Clemson University where he won a national championship. The next year, he was drafted into the NFL.
This will be his first time playing in the Super Bowl.
“As a parent, it's just amazing to see your kids live in their dreams,” Lisa said.
An opportunity of a lifetime, but she wants him to focus on the moment.
“I'm very proud of him getting to this point and I’m going to be a proud mom sitting there watching,” she added.
Lisa said the entire family would be traveling to Las Vegas to cheer on Ray-Ray in person.