In a heartwarming display of love and resilience, former NFL running back Tevin Coleman and his wife Akilah bravely shared the ongoing health challenges faced by their beloved 6-year-old daughter, Nazaneen.
A Silent Struggle Revealed
For years, Coleman kept his daughter’s condition a secret, determined to shield her from the public’s scrutiny. However, in an interview with People magazine in 2023, he opened up about Nazaneen’s battle with sickle cell disease, a debilitating chronic condition affecting red blood cells.
Coleman’s own experience with sickle cell disease, which he developed during his college football days, gave him an intimate understanding of his daughter’s plight. “I just wanted to protect her,” he emotionally shared. “So that’s why I didn’t say anything at first.”
A Touching Social Media Update
In a recent social media post, Akilah uploaded an inspiring video featuring Nazaneen, spending time with her father in a hospital setting.
“A short story about the most resilient girl I know,” Akilah captioned the video. She went on to reveal that Nazaneen had recently required ventilation, as she “couldn’t breathe on her own & needed the machine to expand her lungs & breathe for her.” Additionally, she received her first blood transfusion.
A Husband’s Unwavering Support
Akilah praised her husband for his composure amidst the devastating news. While she hyperventilated and felt helpless, Coleman managed to calm both her spirit and his own.
“I’m so sorry for that because it doesn’t leave space for him to go through the motions,” Akilah wrote.
An Athletic Father, A Devoted Caregiver
Despite his demanding professional football career, Coleman has remained a dedicated caregiver for Nazaneen, balancing his responsibilities on and off the field with unwavering love for his daughter.
The former Falcons and 49ers running back was drafted in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He played in two Super Bowls, one with Atlanta in 2017 and another with San Francisco in 2020.
A Message of Hope and Resilience
The Coleman family’s courageous decision to share their story serves as a reminder of the strength, determination, and resilience that can be found in the face of adversity. Nazaneen’s indomitable spirit, coupled with her father’s unwavering support, is an inspiration to all who face challenges.
As Coleman shared with People magazine, “I want to show people that you can be strong throughout it all, because we’re still going to enjoy life, we’re still going to have fun, we’re still going to do the things we like to do.”
The LA News Center extends its heartfelt support to the Coleman family and celebrates the unwavering bond they share through both life’s triumphs and challenges.
