Chargers Draft Pick Akheem Mesidor’s Mother Steals Hearts with Emotional Reaction

Akheem Mesidor idolized Khalil Mack while growing up in Ottawa, Canada. After finishing high school, Mesidor accepted a football scholarship at West Virginia.

Two years later, he transferred to the University of Miami. On the first day of the 2026 NFL Draft, Mesidor’s life came full circle. At 22nd overall, the Los Angeles Chargers drafted Mesidor, and now he will share a locker room with Mack.

However, it was Akheem’s mother who captured the spotlight on draft day, winning the admiration of both local and rival fan groups.

Following the Pittsburgh Steelers’ draft embarrassment, the Chargers were on the clock. That’s when the video crew at Mesidor’s home sprang to life to film the once-in-a-lifetime moment. It’s quite clear that Mesidor was nervous, but not more so than his mother, Carole Richard.

Richard went through nearly every emotion known to humankind. But when the Chargers finally called her son’s name, it’s easy to recognize the sense of relief, mixed with happiness, on her face.

protect akheem's mom at all costs pic.twitter.com/chsz31UpuA

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) April 24, 2026

Akheem Mesidor’s mother worked 3 jobs to take care of her family

Richard raised Mesidor and her four children on her own in Ottawa. According to an article in Men’s Journal, Richard took three jobs so that she could not only provide for her children and give them a chance to succeed in life.

Mesidor joined a local gridiron academy, but it wasn’t easy for him. He had to walk more than two miles through a snowstorm in Ottawa just to get to football practice.

Despite putting in the hard work, he nearly walked away from football after struggling to attract college offers. He took a job at Domino’s Pizza. After his coach managed to convince him to give it another shot, Mesidor finally decided to return and earned a scholarship from the University of West Virginia.

Mesidor, a three-star recruit, joined UWV in 2020. In his two years with the Mountaineers, Mesidor registered 70 combined tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks. Ahead of the 2022 college football season, he transferred to the Miami Hurricanes. In 39 appearances for the ACC school, Mesidor racked up 26.0 sacks and 38 tackles for loss. He also recorded a staggering 121 total quarterback pressures.

During Miami’s CFP playoff final run, Mesidor had 17.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks (most in the ACC). In the postseason, he recorded 5.5 sacks and 17 combined tackles.

GM Joe Horitz later said that he wasn’t expecting Mesidor to fall to the Chargers. Head coach Jim Harbaugh echoed the same.

A top player, like Joe said, we didn’t think was going to be there. But we were super excited when he was… Akheem is a worker, and he’s going to come right in and fit into our culture, our team. Good person, good player.

Harbaugh said via the Chargers’ official website

Akheem Mesidor met Khalil Mack

A day after the Chargers drafted Mesidor, he visited the club facility in Los Angeles. And got the chance to meet Khalil Mack.

It’s fortunate that Mesidor is getting the chance to play with his idol, because the 35-year-old linebacker nearly retired after last season. In March, Mack signed a one-year, $18 million contract extension.

been here 20 minutes, already talkin’ ball w khalil pic.twitter.com/51e3hjtZPL

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) April 24, 2026

The Chargers finished second in their division with an 11-6 record. In the wildcard round, they faced off against the New England Patriots. Quarterback Justin Herbert was sacked 6 times, causing him to fumble the ball twice and lose it once. The Patriots won 16-3.

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