Chris Lindstrom: How His Mother’s Legacy Fuels His NFL Journey
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Picture this: a high school gym, dead silent after a hard foul during a basketball game. Chris Lindstrom, then a sophomore at Shepherd Hill Regional High School in Dudley, Massachusetts, had just been fouled. The tension was thick, the crowd hushed. And then, breaking the silence, came a voice that would echo in Lindstrom’s memory forever.
“My mom stood up and goes, ‘Christopher, don’t take any more of his s—, kick his f—ing ass,'” Lindstrom’s brother, Alec, recalled. “Screaming in a completely quiet gym. And then the gym erupts. Everyone was going crazy.”
That moment, as embarrassing as it was for Lindstrom at the time, has since become a cherished memory. Now an All-Pro guard for the Atlanta Falcons, Lindstrom laughs about it. His mother, Dawn Lindstrom, was unapologetically passionate when it came to her kids. She was their biggest cheerleader, their fiercest protector, and the glue that held the family together. But her story is more than just a collection of spirited moments; it’s a tale of resilience, love, and a legacy that continues to inspire Chris every day.
A Mother’s Influence
Dawn Lindstrom wasn’t just a mom; she was a force of nature. Whether it was football, basketball, or volleyball, she was there, fully immersed in her children’s lives. But she wasn’t just a sideline mom. If someone wronged her kids, she made it clear that wasn’t going to fly. Her fiery spirit and unwavering support shaped Chris into the man and athlete he is today.
Sadly, Dawn passed away from ovarian cancer on Dec. 21, 2021. Her loss left a void in the Lindstrom family, but her memory remains a guiding light, especially for Chris. “You kind of get reminded of the feeling that we all had,” Lindstrom said. “You get that reminiscent feeling. You definitely get sad. But also in the same sense, you’re just appreciative of the moments we did have together.”
Overcoming Early Challenges
Chris Lindstrom’s journey to the NFL wasn’t without its hurdles. As a child, he was diagnosed with kidney hydronephrosis, a condition that caused swelling in his kidney. For years, doctors refused to clear him to play football. Every year, he and Dawn would visit the nephrologist, hoping for a different answer. Finally, in sixth grade, the news they had been waiting for arrived: Chris could play football.
“That day, it’s one of the few times I’ve cried of happiness,” Lindstrom said. “When I got told I could play.”
But playing came with conditions. Chris had to wear protective gear to shield his kidney. His father, Chris Sr., was adamant about this. “It was nonnegotiable,” he said. “You got to take care of it.” To this day, Lindstrom wears a small pad over his kidney during games, a habit ingrained in him by his father’s insistence.
A Family United in Adversity
In 2019, the Falcons selected Lindstrom with the 14th pick of the NFL Draft. Just a few months later, Dawn was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The family rallied around her, and Chris often traveled home during the season to be with her. The Falcons organization, including owner Arthur Blank and head coach Arthur Smith, supported him every step of the way. Blank even offered his private plane to help Chris and his now-wife Madison travel back to Massachusetts.
During the 2021 season, as Dawn’s health declined, Chris balanced his NFL career with his role as a son and brother. He often flew home on Mondays and Tuesdays, missing practices and meetings with the full support of his team. Two days before Dawn passed away at the age of 56, Chris played in San Francisco and then flew to Massachusetts to be by her side. He returned to the field shortly after, playing against the Detroit Lions that Sunday.
Living Up to Her Legacy
In March 2023, while attending NFLPA meetings in Hawai’i, Lindstrom received a life-changing call from his agent. He was about to become the highest-paid guard in NFL history, signing a five-year, $105.2 million contract extension with an average annual salary of $20.5 million. It was a moment of triumph, but also one of reflection. “Would Mom be happy with what we’re doing?” Chris Sr. often asks. For Chris, the answer is a resounding yes.
- Lindstrom is a two-time Pro Bowler at right guard.
- The Falcons have averaged 5.2 yards on rushes to the right side since 2022, ranking eighth in the NFL over that span.
- His $20.5 million annual salary is the highest for a guard in NFL history.
Chris continues to honor Dawn’s memory in everything he does. On game days, he takes a moment during the team’s prayer to talk to her, asking her to watch over him and his family. When he made his first Pro Bowl after the 2022 season, he turned it into a family celebration, bringing everyone together to honor Dawn’s legacy.
“That’s kind of like a microcosm of that, one example of how she’d want us doing things together and celebrating things,” Lindstrom said. “Because that’s the way we’d always do it.”
Dawn may not be here to witness her son’s incredible achievements, but her spirit lives on in every step he takes, every block he makes, and every moment he shares with his family. For Chris Lindstrom, it’s not just about being the best on the field; it’s about making his mom proud, every single day.
Originally Written by: Michael Rothstein
