Runs in the Family An Incredible True Story of Football, Fatherhood, and Belonging

A revelatory examination of the choices we make as parents and children, told through the eyes of a Black man on a journey to find his biological family and discover where and to whom he truly belongs. Based on Sarah Spain’s viral ESPN article.

Football coach and father of four Deland McCullough’s world was forever changed when his adoption records were unsealed, revealing a hidden past that would profoundly shape his understanding of himself and his family. The journey that ensued uncovered a surprising connection: his biological father had unknowingly been a key figure in his life for three decades. Deland’s journey of self-discovery and the search for his identity were transformative experiences, deeply impacting his future by shedding light on his past.

In 1972, sixteen-year-old Carol Briggs gave birth to Jon Kenneth Briggs during a snowstorm in Pittsburgh and decided to place him for adoption, hoping he would land in a stable two-parent household. Adopted by a well-known Youngstown, Ohio, radio DJ and his wife, Jon was renamed Deland McCullough. Deland’s childhood was disrupted by his adoptive parents’ turbulent divorce and his mother’s subsequent abusive relationships. In the midst of this chaos, he learned of his adoption and found football as a sanctuary, providing him with a sense of belonging and mentorship.

Deland’s passion for football propelled him into a professional career and later into coaching. When he became a father, his desire to uncover his origins intensified. He was tired of not being able to fill out a family medical history form and he decided to do something about it. What ensued was an unraveling of identity, an examination of family in all of its forms, and an exploration of all the ways we inherit, learn, and disrupt generational trauma.

Based on Emmy and Peabody Award–winning sports journalist Sarah Spain’s viral article for ESPN, Runs in the Family is a staggering portrayal of parenthood—the choices we make, the sacrifices we endure, and the intentional nurturing that shapes us and our loved ones. It is a heartrending story that testifies to the profound impact of family, identity, and the enduring bonds formed through both blood and mentorship.

Deland McCullough is a celebrated football figure, known for his achievements as a player and coach. A Miami University (Ohio) alumnus and all-time leading rusher, he earned multiple All-Conference and All-American honors. Professionally, he led the NFL in preseason rushing with the Cincinnati Bengals in 1996 and was a CFL All-Star nominee with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 1999. Post-playing, he excelled in education and coaching, guiding numerous running backs to over 1,000 yards, multiple All-Conference and All-American honors, and NFL careers. His coaching accolades include Big Ten RB Coach of the Year and NFL RB Coach of the Year, and he contributed to the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl 54 victory. An Emmy Award winner and author, McCullough resides in South Bend, Indiana.

Sarah Spain is an Emmy and Peabody Award–winning sports journalist, the host of the iHeart daily women’s sports podcast Good Game with Sarah Spain and an ESPNW contributor. She has been a jack of all trades in her fourteen years at ESPN, as a radio and podcast host, television personality, producer, and writer. Spain is a graduate of Cornell University, where she competed as a heptathlete and served as cocaptain of the track and field team. She lives in Chicago with her husband, Brad, and their three rescue dogs.