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With their first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Bucs selected Pitt defensive lineman Calijah Kancey. And now, after signing his first NFL contract last month, Calijah Kancey has turned around and paid it forward to someone who was always there to help him along in his football and life journey.
According to his latest post on Instagram, Kancey recently bought his mom a house, as well as a new car.
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The No. 19 pick in the draft, Kancey signed a four-year deal with the Bucs last month that included $14.7 million guaranteed and a $7.7 million signing bonus. And as a first-round pick, his contract also includes a fifth-year option.
It’s clear that honoring his mom and her sacrifices means a lot to Kancey, as he wrote on Instagram.
“For everything you sacrificed for me and coco. This is only the beginning thank you for being such a great parent to us. Congrats on your new house and car ma this is for you,” the Bucs rookie defensive lineman wrote.
Included in the post was a clip of rapper Meek Mill saying “It’s easy to pull the trigger, but it ain’t easy to move your mama out the hood. That’s a real man’s job.”
Kancey has referenced the long odds he’s faced to make a better life for himself and his family before, posting the following on Instagram after the draft:
“Everyday since I was 4 years old, I worked my tail off to get to this moment — and this is just the start! Stayed the course, didn’t fall victim to the streets, made my own decisions, never followed, always led by example and took care of business at any given moment. Bucs Nation, I want you guys to know y’all are getting a GUY!!!! Only time will tell. Thank you God, my coaches from every level of football I played, my family, and my teammates at Pitt!”
View this post on Instagram
Family Means A Lot To Calijah Kancey
Bucs head coach Todd Bowles, DT Calijah Kancey and GM Jason Licht – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
From his first day as a Buc, it was clear that Calijah Kancey is big on family. His introductory press conference came the day after he was drafted, and he was joined at the AdventHealth Training Center by a number of his family members.
“My family played a great role in my life. They always kept me grounded, always believed in me, always pushed me,” he said at the time.
As much as his family has believed in him and pushed him, they’ve also kept him honest — and that has driven him even more.
“Honestly, every Saturday, I know they’re watching so if I mess up, they’re going to be on my behind and they’re going to tell me that I lost that rep,” Kancey said. “That’s something that I like to avoid, so that’s why I go out there and put on good tape.”
What’s especially unique for the Kancey family is that they’re still close in proximity, as Calijah Kancey is a Miami native and will be starting his NFL career in his home state.
“It’s very special,” he said in April. “From the weather, the home field advantage, which is being from right down the street. I think it’s great. I didn’t expect to be here. Like I said, I’m very excited and I’m ready to get to work.”
Kancey has already gotten to work, developing a better understanding of the NFL game during rookie camp, OTAs and mini camp. And up next, he’ll really get a chance to take the next step of his development with training camp and the preseason fast approaching.
