All About Malik Nabers’ Mom, Tonya Nabers

Malik Nabers‘ mom, Tonya Nabers, has been cheering him on since long before he was drafted in the first round by the New York Giants.

She was a staple at his games while he attended the Louisiana State University (LSU), where he was named an All-American in 2023. Malik made history at the end of his collegiate run, finishing as LSU’s all-time leader in receiving yards with 3,003 in total.

“I’m truly happy for him,” Tonya told the LSU Odyssey of her son’s college football career in October 2023. “Every day I have to pinch myself sometimes and say, ‘My goodness, that’s my son!’ I knew the qualities that he had, but to actually see it on display and for the world to see, it’s amazing.”

After the 2024 NFL Draft, Malik purchased his mom a home. “It was very important,” he said in a press conference in May 2024. “That was the most important thing in my life, I would say, is having her have her own house and feel comfortable and not having to worry about bills to pay. And know that her little boy did it for her.”

Here’s everything to know about Malik Naber’s mom, Tonya Naber.

She saw Malik’s athletic talents at an early age

Tonya knew her son had something special “early on,” having been involved in athletics at a young age. However, she “didn’t know” which sport — football, basketball or baseball — he’d want to pursue, since he was “really, really good” at all three.

When speaking with Louisiana vs. All Ya’ll in September 2023, Tonya said she knew Malik “had the potential in him” at around 9 or 10 years old — but it was at age 8 he knew, himself, that he would play football professionally.

“He said, ‘Mama, I’m going to play in the NFL one day,’ ” Tonya recalled her conversation with a young Malik. “And I said, ‘You going to do what it takes to get there? Because it’s not going to be easy…’ and he said, ‘Yes ma’am.’ ”

Tonya listened to her son’s dreams, telling him: “‘Alright! I’ll do whatever I can to support you.’ ” She added, “And now, we’re here.”

Tonya attends as many of Malik’s games as possible

Tonya is there for her son both on and off the field. Undoubtedly Malik’s No. 1 fan, she told Louisiana vs. All Ya’ll in September 2023 that she strives to attend “as many of his games as possible.”

And while she’s there, Tonya is “very observant” while watching her son in action on the field. “I am totally focused on No. 8 when he’s playing,” she told LSU Odyssey.

“I feel like I don’t see any other player because I’m a nervous parent so I’m watching his movement,” Tonya explained. “I’m watching his body language, I can tell if he’s hurting … I just notice everything.”

She says LSU felt ‘like home’

Since Malik started his freshman season at LSU in 2021, Tonya knew it was the right decision. “I just know it felt like home from the beginning for us,” she told Louisiana vs. All Ya’ll in September 2023.

Tonya recalled “everybody” in the LSU community getting along, describing the atmosphere as “second to none.” She added, “I don’t think any parent would understand until their child is actually there.”

Tonya says Malik has ‘always been a leader’

Malik’s athletic abilities have been recognized by many, but his character hasn’t been overlooked either. “He’s always been a leader,” Tonya told Louisiana vs. All Ya’ll. “Both on and off the field.”

During his years at LSU, the receiver took younger players “under his wing” as they got situated on the team. “It just speaks for his character,” Tonya added of her son. “That’s how I raised him, to help others and to be that role model.”

While she noted that Malik’s leadership quality “doesn’t come as a surprise” to her, she said that “it’s very good to see and hear a lot of people are able to see that side of him.”

Her nephew is Jordan Allen

Football runs in the family. Tonya’s nephew, Jordan Allen, is a college football player himself. He started his career playing for LSU, like Malik, before later transferring to the University of Houston.

Malik and Allen are cousins and former teammates, but Tonya considers them brothers, too.

“I’ll never forget Jordan had told me one time that Malik is the brother that he always wanted,” she told the Lafayette Daily Advertiser in October 2022.

The athletic duo grew up together, from playing sports in their backyard to constant sleepovers at each other’s houses. However, seven-on-seven football was the only organized sport they played together since they attended different high schools.

“If you would have been able to be in the room when Jordan decided to go to LSU, I think I was the loudest one in the room,” Tonya told the outlet. “I screamed at the top of my lungs because it was finally that time … for both of them to not just take that dream to the next level, but take it there together.”