The two brothers, born 5 years apart, grew up without knowing about each other’s existence until 2021, when Jalen participated in an ancestry program.
Highlights
- Jalen Parmele grew up in Midland, Michigan, as an adopted child. He went on to play college football at the University of Toledo before playing in the NFL for Miami, Baltimore, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Arizona, and Cleveland.
- Khalil Mack was raised in Fort Pierce, Florida, by his supportive parents, Sandy and Yolanda Mack. He played at the University of Buffalo before playing in the NFL for Oakland, Chicago, and currently, the Los Angeles Chargers.
- In June 2021, Jalen Parmele did an ancestry test, which revealed that he was the older brother of Khalil Mack. The family reunited in Florida for a heartfelt reunion.
In a remarkable twist of fate, former NFL running back Jalen Parmele and Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack discovered a profound family connection through a genealogy program, unveiling a brotherhood that neither had anticipated.
Growing Up In Midland, MI, Jalen Showed His Athletic Talents From A Young Age
Born on December 30, 1985, in Boynton Beach, Florida, Justin Alexander “Jalen” Parmele emerged as a standout athlete during his youth.
As an adopted child in a white family growing up in Midland, Michigan, with nine siblings, he never knew his real parents.
He attended H.H. Dow High School, where his exceptional football skills earned him First Team All-State honors.
Parmele’s prowess on the field led him to the University of Toledo, where he played college football before entering the NFL.
Over his professional career, he played for several teams, including the Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, and Cleveland Browns.
The Browns sign former Toledo Rocket Jalen Parmele… His fourth NFL team… http://t.co/koyzVeDfzT pic.twitter.com/9QPXkPP5ub
— 13 Action News (@13abc) August 4, 2015
After retiring from professional football, Parmele owned Parmele Post Rehab Exercise and Massage in Gilbert, Arizona.
Today, Parmele is a married man. He and his wife, Stacey, a fellow H.H. Dow High School graduate, have three children.
Khalil Mack Was Raised By Sandy And Yolanda Mack Alongside Two Brothers
Khalil Mack was born on February 22, 1991, in Fort Pierce, Florida, to parents Sandy, a teacher, and Yolanda Mack, a program specialist.
Growing up with two brothers, Sandy Mack Jr. and LeDarius Mack, he exhibited remarkable physical attributes, leading his parents to recognize his potential in sports early on.
Despite being considered a “soft” recruit out of high school due to his passive and quiet demeanor, Mack’s family played a pivotal role in shaping his athletic journey.
In an interview, Mack’s father, Sandy, remembered telling his son,
I sat him down and told him, ‘OK, these guys are saying you’re soft.’ The first guy you hit out there, I don’t want him to get up.’
sandiegouniontribune.com
Mack’s professional career includes stints with the Chicago Bears and the Los Angeles Chargers, earning him multiple Pro Bowl selections and establishing him as one of the premier pass rushers in the league.
An Ancestry Program Unveiled a Brotherly Bond Between The Two
In June 2021, Jalen Parmele participated in an ancestry program to trace his lineage, a decision that would profoundly alter his understanding of family.
The results revealed a direct familial link to then-Chicago Bear Khalil Mack, indicating they shared the same parents, making them brothers.
When Jalen contacted his birth parents, Sandy and Yolanda were shocked, to say the least.
They would later reveal that before Sammy Jr., they did have another son, but being too young at the time, the high school sweethearts gave him up for adoption.
A month after Parmele contacted the Macks, they all gathered in Florida for a heartfelt reunion.
They shared their life stories and took selfies, celebrating a newly discovered chapter in their family history.
Sandy said in an article,
I’m telling you, you couldn’t orchestrate this. No way. This was orchestrated at a higher level.
sandiegouniontribune.com
Jalen documented the meet-and-greet in an Instagram post, which he captioned,
If you’re not familiar, I was adopted at 36 hours old out of Florida by white parents… I was raised in Michigan (hence my Florida born, Michigan raised tattoos) I only knew small details about my birth parents but couldn’t ever find out more information because Florida has closed adoptions.
Instagram
I eventually found out about my birth family last month and learned I have 3 younger bros. 1 is a musician/producer and 2 are current NFL LBs that also went to a MAC school. It was a very surreal/cool experience and an experience I honestly thought would never happen.
Jalen And Khalil Have Both Had Illustrious Careers In The NFL
Both Jalen Parmele and Khalil Mack have made significant contributions to the world of football.
Parmele’s versatility as a running back and special teams player earned him respect across multiple NFL teams.
His post-retirement venture into the wellness industry reflects his commitment to health and fitness.
Mack’s career, marked by his formidable presence on the defensive line, has garnered numerous accolades, including multiple Pro Bowl selections and an NFL Defensive Player of the Year award.
At 34, he has decided to continue playing in the 2025 season.
Khalil Mack is married to actress and singer Brianna Perry Mack, with whom he has two children.
Additional Information
- Jalen Parmele was inducted into the Midland County Sports Hall of Fame on May 14, 2016.
- Khalil’s brother, Ledarius Mack, also played in the NFL. He played for the Chicago Bears from 2020 to 2021 and is currently a free agent.
- Jalen and Khalil’s biological father, Sandy, had a twin brother named Sammie Jr., with whom he competed over everything, often bringing out the best in each other.
