Denver Broncos backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham has the chance to make history as he takes on his former team, the New England Patriots, in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday. He will be starting in what could be the biggest game of his life, and this has happened because starting QB Bo Nix picked up an injury and needed surgery, ending his season. Now, Stidham must lead the Broncos as they fight for a ticket to the Super Bowl.
Stidham has quite an emotional story involving him staying with another family, whom he considers his second family. While he was never legally adopted by them, he believes in his heart that they are members of his own family.
Stidham was working part-time jobs when he was in high school, including for the Copeland family and their construction business. He moved in with them when he was 18 and grew close to the family, including their kids. He was not adopted by the Copelands, but they did help him as he pursued his football career.
Stidham continues to be in contact with his real family, but he has also become part of the Copelands and is close to the couple that took him in. He eventually went to Baylor and then to Auburn before becoming the backup quarterback for none other than the great Tom Brady with the New England Patriots. Now, he will be taking on his former team as he aims to lead the Denver Broncos to the Super Bowl.
Copeland Family Treated Jarrett Stidham As One Of Their Children
It was Matt and Katy Copeland who took Jarrett Stidham in, and their daughters instantly had a new older brother when he moved in with them in 2014. Their daughters, Kalen, Marin, and Larsen, who were still 13, 11, and five years old at that time, loved playing around with the then-high school standout.
In 2018, Matt Copeland talked about how Stidham became part of the family, even though he was never really adopted.
“He’s as much of our family as our girls,” he said.
In 2016, Stidham decided to take a break from football after he left Baylor. The Copelands also helped him during that time. He eventually returned to school, this time at Auburn, where he became their top quarterback.
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