onetwo’s Raheemovic sat down with Haiti international Derrick Etienne Jr. and his father Derrick Etienne Sr. to chat about their family lineage of professional footballers. Derrick Etienne Jr. currently plays Major League Soccer (MLS) for Atlanta United and has over 30 caps for the Haiti national football team. His father Derrick Etienne Sr. played in the United Soccer League (USL) for the Richmond Kickers. Etienne Sr. also had stints with the Long Island Rough Riders and Metrostars, retiring in 2006.

Etienne Sr. was first introduced to the game of football by his father, who played professionally in Haiti. He credits his love and passion for the game not only to his father, but to his older brothers and icons of the game who he grew up watching, such as Pele.

The Etienne’s football lineage spans across multiple generations. Derrick Etienne Jr., along with his siblings, who play football as well, grew up in an environment that was fueled by faith in their family and the abilities that they all posses on and off of the pitch. Etienne Sr., states:

“It’s amazing because we fulfilled my dad’s dream. My dad sacrificed his dream to come to the States and build a life for his family. It is an honor to have represented and played in high-level games, and then of course to pass it down to my kids is even greater.”

Etienne Sr., the epitome of what it means to be a black father who provides for his family and the community around him, has always felt that it was his responsibility to provide, protect, and prepare Etienne Jr. for what the world of professional football has to offer. His love, guidance, and affection for Etienne Jr. and his siblings created an environment that they could all thrive in. The discipline that Etienne Jr. and his siblings developed as young kids would eventually propel them to solidify a future for the current Etienne generation, as well as the ones to follow.

“When he was maybe two or three, I just started throwing a ball at him [Etienne Jr.]. Once I saw his hand-eye and foot-eye coordination at two years old and he was able to volley the ball back to me, I said, this kid is special.”

Growing up in a family of footballers made the game easier for Etienne Jr.

“Going to practice with my dad [Derrick Etienne Sr.] and being around the professional environment was something I always enjoyed and never took for granted”, he states.

“This helped create a love for the game, because seeing it all firsthand is different than watching from afar. Being able to ask questions and receive information was huge for me. I enjoyed that a lot”, Etienne Jr. recalls.

Derrick Etienne Jr. admits that during the early stages of his football career, he modeled his game after his father, who played as a striker. As Etienne Jr. developed, he found himself playing on the wing and in the midfield setting up and making plays for those around him. Reflected in his current style of play, one filled with joy, Etienne Jr. believes that watching players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Henry, and Robinho contributed to becoming who he is as a player today.

“I have been lucky enough to have some really good vets who took me under their wings. Lloyd Sam, Sean Wright-Phllips, Bradley Wright-Phillips, Mike Grella, Danny Royer, and Darlington Nagbe. Legends of the game.”

As a younger player, Derrick Etienne Jr. credits older players who saw something in him and have guided him throughout his professional career. Etienne Jr. has stayed true to himself and true to his game, which has allowed him to see action on the pitch for his club and country. “Even if you go through goal-scoring droughts or bad performances, you have to be able to take the hits and just keep going”.

The late great Pele once said, “You want to be the best? So does everybody else”. This quote has kept Etienne Jr. motivated to not only tell his dreams, but to also show them.

The game of football has given so much to the Etienne family on the pitch. Off of the pitch, Derrick Etienne Jr. and his amazing relatives have established the Etienne Family Foundation, which gives back to the Haitian community.

“Giving back is something that is close to my heart. It is something that I do with great pride. I am blessed enough to have had my grandfather come to the States and make a living for himself. I also have a father who was able to provide for my family. Now that I am able to provide, I feel like I was put on this earth to do so.”

Thank you to Derrick Etienne Jr. and Sr. for sitting down with onetwo to discuss their historic football lineage.

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