Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is the only child of Craig and Julie Young, a California couple whose approach to parenting helped shape one of the NFL’s most recognizable young quarterbacks. His father is a licensed marriage and family therapist, motivational speaker and author, while his mother spent 25 years working in special education. Married since July 1995, Craig and Julie raised Bryce in Pasadena, California, emphasizing emotional maturity, education and personal character alongside his football ambitions.
Who Are His Parents?
Bryce Young’s parents are Craig Young and Julie Young, who have been married for more than three decades.
The couple welcomed Bryce on July 25, 2001, and raised him as their only child.
Although Bryce eventually became a nationally recognized football prospect, his parents did not want athletic success to define his entire identity.
Their family environment emphasized communication, accountability and the importance of maintaining healthy relationships.
Both parents brought valuable experiences to his upbringing.
Craig’s professional background involved helping people navigate emotional challenges, while Julie’s teaching career focused on supporting students with different educational needs.
These influences became particularly important as Bryce’s football career attracted increasing public attention.
Meet Craig Young
Craig Young is a licensed marriage and family therapist, mental health professional and motivational speaker.
His work has focused on relationships, emotional well-being and personal development.
Those interests also influenced his approach to raising Bryce.
Craig was closely involved in his son’s early football journey, providing guidance as Bryce developed his skills.
However, he later acknowledged that combining the responsibilities of father and coach was not always easy.
His experience eventually led him to reconsider how he supported his son.
Rather than concentrating exclusively on athletic performance, Craig began placing greater importance on preserving their personal relationship.
A Parenting Lesson
One of the most revealing aspects of Craig Young’s story concerns his experiences coaching Bryce during childhood.
Craig has acknowledged that his demanding coaching style sometimes placed unnecessary strain on their father-son relationship.
Like many parents involved in youth sports, he wanted his child to succeed.
However, he came to recognize that constant correction and pressure could affect their connection outside football.
That realization prompted him to change his approach.
He became more conscious of separating his responsibilities as a parent from his expectations as a coach.
The lesson became central to his public discussions about parenting.
Craig’s experience offers an important reminder that a child’s athletic development should not come at the expense of emotional security.
His Father’s New Book
In May 2026, Craig Young published Growing Up Young, a book exploring his personal history and experiences as a father.
The publication discusses lessons he learned while raising a child who eventually became an elite professional athlete.
Rather than presenting parenting as a perfect process, Craig examines mistakes, personal growth and the importance of rebuilding relationships.
His experiences coaching Bryce form an important part of that story.
The book also reflects his professional interest in emotional development and healthy family relationships.
Its publication introduced readers to a more personal side of the family behind the Panthers quarterback.
For Craig, the central message extends beyond football to the challenges faced by parents in everyday life.
Meet Julie Young
Julie Young is Bryce Young’s mother and a retired special education teacher who spent approximately 25 years in education.
Her career involved working with students who required additional learning support.
That professional experience contributed to the family’s emphasis on patience, understanding and individual development.
Although Craig’s involvement in Bryce’s football training has received considerable attention, Julie has also played a major role in supporting her son’s ambitions.
She helped create a home environment where education and character remained important.
Her own athletic background adds another interesting dimension to the family’s story.
Julie’s Soccer Career
Before becoming a teacher and mother, Julie Young was an accomplished college soccer player at Cal Poly Pomona.
She also participated in competitive youth soccer opportunities, including international tournaments.
Despite her sporting achievements, she did not make them a major topic during Bryce’s childhood.
According to accounts of the family, Julie deliberately avoided emphasizing her athletic past because she did not want her son to feel additional pressure to succeed.
Bryce reportedly learned more about her soccer accomplishments later through someone who had played alongside her.
The decision reflected the family’s broader philosophy.
Rather than expecting Bryce to follow a particular athletic path, Julie wanted him to develop his own interests and motivation.
Bryce’s Early Life
Bryce Young was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, before growing up in Pasadena, California.
He developed an interest in football at an early age and gradually emerged as a talented quarterback.
His parents supported his development while encouraging him to remain grounded outside the sport.
Bryce initially attended Cathedral High School in Los Angeles before transferring to Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana.
At Mater Dei, he became one of the country’s most highly regarded quarterback prospects.
His performances attracted attention from major college football programs.
Throughout that process, Craig and Julie remained important figures in his life.
Their involvement continued as Bryce prepared for the demands of college athletics.
His Alabama Success
Bryce eventually joined the University of Alabama, where he played under legendary head coach Nick Saban.
In 2021, he won the Heisman Trophy, becoming the first Alabama quarterback to receive the prestigious award.
His success made him one of the most recognizable players in college football.
He demonstrated impressive passing ability, composure and decision-making while competing against elite opponents.
The achievement represented a major milestone for the Young family.
However, his parents continued emphasizing the importance of personal values beyond awards and public recognition.
Bryce’s college career ultimately positioned him as a leading prospect for the NFL Draft.
Carolina Panthers Career
The Carolina Panthers selected Bryce Young with the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
His arrival came with considerable expectations as the franchise looked to establish its next long-term starting quarterback.
Transitioning from college football to the NFL presented new challenges.
Bryce faced stronger defenses, greater media scrutiny and the pressure associated with being a top draft selection.
His professional journey has included difficult stretches as well as encouraging performances.
The support of his parents has remained relevant as he navigates the demands of professional football.
Their emphasis on emotional resilience provides a useful foundation for handling both success and disappointment.
The Young 9 Foundation
The family’s commitment to personal development extends beyond Bryce’s football career.
The Young 9 Foundation focuses on mental health awareness, community support and access to resources.
The organization reflects Craig’s professional background and the family’s interest in emotional well-being.
Its activities have included community events and fundraising initiatives.
Among its recognizable events is the Sneaker Ball Gala, which brings supporters together around the foundation’s mission.
The initiative allows the family to use Bryce’s public profile to draw attention to issues affecting people beyond professional sports.
Mental health and community engagement have therefore become important parts of the Young family’s broader work.
Are There Any Siblings?
Bryce Young is an only child.
He does not have publicly known brothers or sisters.
Growing up in a three-person household allowed Craig and Julie to remain closely involved in his education and sporting development.
Their relationship has frequently been described as supportive and close-knit.
Although Bryce’s achievements have made the family recognizable to NFL fans, his parents have continued discussing the importance of relationships rather than fame.
A Family Beyond Football
Craig and Julie Young’s story is closely connected to Bryce’s rise from a promising California athlete to an NFL quarterback.
Yet their influence reaches beyond football training.
Craig’s work as a therapist, Julie’s teaching career and their shared emphasis on emotional maturity helped shape Bryce’s upbringing.
Craig’s willingness to discuss his parenting mistakes has also added depth to the family’s public story.
As Bryce continues his NFL career, his parents remain an important part of the journey.
For the Young family, the lasting achievement is not simply raising a Heisman Trophy winner and professional quarterback, but maintaining a strong relationship through the pressures of elite sport.
