The couple says they had a plan in place should Samaria give birth on the same day as the Super Bowl — which included not telling Jefferson if his wife was in labor until the game was over.
“He was early. He was due four days after, but we did have a feeling. I was just like, ‘With our luck and just our life, what if he comes the day of Super Bowl?’ And of course, he made his special debut that day,” Samaria tells PEOPLE.
Van Jefferson, wife Samaria and their newborn son Champ.Ari & Louise
“But we talked about, ‘Hey, what if he does come?’ And I would just say, ‘Well, you go play, and I’ll see you at the birthing center after,’ “she shares. “I didn’t want anyone to tell him that I was in labor or anything like that during the game.”
“I just said, ‘Wait until he is done, and then you can tell him.’ And I’m just really thankful that they did that and they listened,” she adds.
Van Jefferson Instagram
It wasn’t until afterthe Rams beat the Bengalsin a final score of 23-20, Jefferson says, that he found out his wife was in labor.
“It was an amazing feeling.Winning the Super Bowland then being able to see your newborn was such a special moment for me.”
Now a week into life with their son Champ, Samaria and Van say things have “been crazy.” (The couple also share daughter Bella, 5, while Van is dad to a 4-year-old son named Vanchi.)
He adds of Samaria, whom he wed in 2020, “I’mso proud of her. That was the ultimate best day of my life. I don’t know how I can top that.”
For more from Van Jefferson and his wife Samaria, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday.
source: people.com
