Serving the community: Nakobe Dean takes inspiration from his mother

After being selected by the Eagles in the 2022 draft, Nakobe Dean has remained committed to serving his community, as he did growing up.

Neketta, a single mother, raised Dean, his brother Nikolas, and their sister Brooklyn. But their parents are both decorated veterans of the war.

“Knowing my parents’ past, it is important for me to give back to the men and women who serve this country,” said Nakobe.

Nakobe has done precisely that ever since arriving in Philadelphia.

Neketta, who served for eight years in the US Army—three as an active member and five as a reserve—is the source of inspiration. She fought in Operation Desert Storm and Operation Desert Shield during the Gulf War (1990–1991).

Although she was stationed at Fort Stewart Army Base in Georgia, she brought up her kids in Horn Lake, Mississippi.

Neketta raised her kids to be servants from an early age.

While serving as Tunica County, Mississippi’s Director of Community Affairs, she enlisted Brooklyn, Nikolas, and Nakobe to assist at various community events.

Neketta would also accompany them to Veterans Affairs hospitals and facilities on weekends so that she could help the disabled veterans and spend time with them.

“To see the impact that service had on them and the veterans was awesome,” Neketta stated. “Acts of kindness can go a long way for some people, so I am honored to see that Nakobe can volunteer and give back to the community.”

This was the turning point for Nakobe. He was motivated to help amputee veterans by making prosthetic limbs to enhance their quality of life.

In order to further his education and contribute to the creation of prosthetics, Nakobe enrolled at the University of Georgia as a mechanical engineering major.

The linebacker has postponed that dream in order to pursue another in the NFL, but he hasn’t forgotten where he came from.

Giving back to those who serve or have served the nation is something Nakobe is forming the habit of doing.

Nakobe and Neketta met with military families at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in Burlington County, New Jersey, at the beginning of October. The event was co-hosted by Nakobe and Neketta, United Through Reading, and Operation Homefront. Neketta distributed books and stickers to the offspring of military personnel while Nakobe held meetings with families and service members.

Giving back to the veterans is very important, according to Nakobe. “They perform exceptional work for our nation. I am grateful and appreciative of them for that. I have a deeper respect for what these servicemen and women do because my mother and father were both in the Army.”

“As a service member myself, I was elated to participate in this event,” Neketta stated. “These individuals, both men and women, guard our nation. It was really a privilege.” – Written by Boyle Owen