Antonio Freeman is happily passing the torch to his USMNT star son Alex
IRVINE, Calif. — On Sept. 29, 1996, Antonio Freeman announced himself in Seattle.
The Packers wide receiver caught seven passes for 108 yards and two touchdowns against the Seahawks, recording the first 100-yard game of his NFL career. It was one of many milestones that landed him in the Packers Hall of Fame and helped deliver a Super Bowl championship to Green Bay.
Thirty years later, the spotlight returned to the same city.
Only this time, it wasn’t shining on Antonio.
It belonged to his son.
When United States men’s national team right back Alex Freeman rose above Australian goalkeeper Patrick Beach inside the penalty area and headed home a crucial goal in securing the Americans’ 2-0 victory, the moment instantly became part of U.S. Soccer lore.
Inside the stadium, his father watched something unexpected happen.
His greatest sports moment was no longer his own.
“If I don’t win a Super Bowl, we don’t set up this format,” Freeman told The Post. “But the FIFA World Cup is like a Super Bowl. It’s like a Super Bowl for every game for these countries.”
Then came the admission that speaks to every parent who has ever watched a child exceed their own accomplishments.
“Winning the Super Bowl is still probably my biggest moment,” Freeman told The Post. “But this one has taken over.”
For decades, the elder Freeman was the most famous athlete in the family. He was the one making highlight-reel catches and signing autographs. Now, he has happily accepted a different role: Alex Freeman’s biggest fan.
Antonio Freeman spoke to The Post during Monday’s USMNT training here proudly wearing his son’s No. 16 USA home jersey.
“When I’m not around Alex, I always wear it,” Freeman said.
When asked if he trained his son at a young age to play soccer, Antonio admitted the sport was foreign to him.
“I couldn’t train him. I didn’t know how to train him for soccer,” Antonio said. “I was kind of useless.”
Because soccer was uncharted territory, he helped by hiring soccer trainers and coaches for his son. When Alex struggled against older and better players, Antonio passed on the advice he was told while growing up in Baltimore.
“Be ready,” Freeman said was the mantra he always told Alex. “You can be one of those kids that sit on the sideline and say, ‘I can be better than him.’ Then you get on the floor and stink it up. So be ready for your opportunity.”
Alex said his dad helped him to be a professional. When he faced one of the biggest crossroads of his young career — leaving home at 15 to join Orlando City’s youth academy instead of pursuing a traditional college path — Antonio understood what was at stake.
“He just wanted to play,” Freeman said. “But I challenged him. I said, ‘Where is your heart at?’ ”
Freeman’s heart was with soccer and pursuing his dream of becoming a professional. So he left home and lived with a host family in Orlando. There, he was forced to manage setbacks on his own.
“Orlando was three hours away [from the family home in Fort Lauderdale], but you still have that parental fear,” admitted Antonio. “I didn’t know what he was into or who he was hanging out with. He celebrated his 16th birthday alone.”
Thanks to a strong support system, Alex thrived at the academy and was called up to the senior team March 26, 2022. From there, his rise through the soccer ranks was meteoric.
Alex wasn’t expected to become one of the breakout stars of this World Cup. He wasn’t supposed to be grabbing headlines away from Christian Pulisic or Folarin Balogun. Right backs don’t usually become the face of a tournament run.
But just like his dad taught him, when his opportunity arrived, he was ready.
“My dad mentored me, and told me to be ready for moments like these,” Alex said after he became just the third right back in U.S. history to score a goal in the World Cup.
Antonio said his phone overheated during the second half with more than 400 text messages from family and friends before the final whistle. When he was finally reunited with his son, he hugged him and told him he continues to amaze him.
“I told him to just keep working and being you,” Antonio said. “People love who you are. Don’t change and just keep working harder.”
Antonio said his favorite moment of the World Cup wasn’t his son’s goal but how moved he was when he watched Alex’s teammates chase after him to celebrate with him.
“That’s the most heartwarming thing for me as a parent,” Freeman said. “To see his teammates rally around the youngest kid, the baby boy on the team. As a parent, it just lets you know that your kid’s being protected.”
After the match, U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino suggested Alex Freeman could someday become the best right back in the world.
Antonio admitted he cried when he heard it.
Not because of what it could mean for a career.
Because of what it confirmed about the journey.
The sacrifices. The uncertainty. The years spent trusting a dream that often felt impossible.
When Alex was reminded about his father’s performance with the Packers on the same field, he called it a “full-circle moment.”
“It just shows how great the family tree is,” said Alex. “He can be great, but I can be great in my own way as well.”
Every match of the FIFA World Cup will air on either FOX or FOX Sports 1. If you don’t have cable, you can take advantage of a DIRECTV free trial to stream it all.
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His father also reflected on the unlikely symmetry in Seattle.
“It was definitely a full-circle moment,” he said. “This is his ride, and I’m just happy to be his biggest supporter.”
For most athletes, stepping out of the spotlight is difficult.
For Antonio Freeman, it appears to be the easiest transition of his life.
The star of the family has changed.
And he couldn’t be happier about it.
- Admin
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