Deal brothers鈥� path to football stardom paved by parents
GARLAND, Texas (BVM) — Going into the 2020 football season, Devean and Markis Deal knew that it could be the last chance that they would get to play with each other for a while.
Devean was entering his senior year, while Markis was just a sophomore.
In order for Markis to make the varsity team, the brothers had a grueling, yet memorable offseason leading up to that fall.
鈥淭hat was probably the most fun I鈥檝e had working out,鈥� Devean said. 鈥淲e were in the garage working together and lifting with each other. It was just awesome.鈥�
The Deals’ hard work paid off.
Not only did Markis make the roster, but Naaman Forest High School would take home the district title, while Devean was awarded with athlete and MVP district awards.
鈥淚 just really wanted to play with him one last time before he headed off to college,鈥� Markis said.
Fast-forwarding to the spring of 2022, Devean just finished up his freshman season at Tulane University, while Markis will head into his senior football season as the No. 57 ranked player in the country according to .
Part of their success comes from their quick development that was expedited with them sharing a house with their defensive line coach.
鈥淥ur dad always kind of coached us on something, no matter the sport,鈥� Devean said. 鈥淲e both knew that was an advantage. Our dad knew the game and he knew people that knew the game. We just got to absorb information from everyone. Whether he was coaching or not, you could always ask him a question.鈥�
鈥淚t definitely helps a lot being able to learn some of the stuff that people don鈥檛 usually learn until they get to their high school coaches and middle school coaches,鈥� Markis said. 鈥淲e just got to grow up, be around it, and learn it every day.鈥澛�
With both of their parents being high school coaches, Devean and Markis were destined to have athletic careers, growing up in a competitive, disciplined environment on and off the field.
鈥淓ven with school, we would compete to see who could get the best grades,鈥� Markis said. 鈥淭hey held us to a high standard.鈥�
Outside of being coaches, both of their parents were Division I athletes. Their dad played football while their mom played volleyball and basketball during their time at the University of Texas at El Paso. Now, they help their sons go through the obstacles of being a student-athlete.
鈥淭hey stay on me,鈥� Markis said. 鈥淭hey help with whatever work I鈥檓 struggling on. Being teachers, they really understand how important it is to keep your grades up.鈥�
鈥淭hey explained how college athletics is more football than class in terms of sheer time scheduled into your day,鈥� Devean said. 鈥淭hey explained the importance of handling your business and finishing your responsibilities.鈥�
While Devean is already living out the dream of playing college football, Markis is not too far behind him, being supported by his brother every step of the way. With every offer that he posts about on social media, Devean is the first to retweet it.聽
Keep going lil bro馃敟Proud of you馃挴馃馃徑
— Devean Deal (@DealDevean)
鈥淗e鈥檚 my little brother and I鈥檓 just proud of him,鈥� Devean said. 鈥淚鈥檓 gonna show him as much love and try to get as many people to do the same.鈥�
With both Devean and Markis accomplishing a good amount of their goals up to this point, they both continue to look to support the younger Deals, 13-year-old twins Zoey and Braylon, throughout their athletic endeavors.
鈥淒on鈥檛 let anything stop you from being you,鈥� Markis said of his message to his younger siblings. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e doing great. Just keep working.鈥�
鈥淥ur little brother will be the best hooper for sure, but he can do whatever he wants,鈥� Devean said. 鈥淎nd Zoey may be the best out of all of us. She鈥檒l be a beast in whatever field she decides to go in.鈥�
