Sony Michel Inspired By Mother’s Sacrifice, Arrival From Haiti

Patriots running back Sony Michel joined New England with a brilliant spark and wisdom that goes beyond his age. What’s his true inspiration on the field? His mom, Marie.

Marie immigrated to the United States from Haiti in 1990. “I’ve learned about her journey very late. Maybe last year was the first time actually asking her about her experience. In the Haitian culture, and I think many cultures, there are always boundaries. I always felt I was the kid, so stay in the kid’s place. I don’t ask,” Michel said of his mom’s arrival from Haiti.

Last year, Michel was ready to join New England straight from the University in Georgia. Something changed about the first-round draft pick at that particular moment.

“I just kind of felt it was right, and I asked. She told me the situation, her mindset and how she went about things. Learning about her experience is kind of similar to what we all go through in life.We are all going to hit times of adversity, and we’re all going to have opportunities in life, and it’s all what we’re going to do with them,” the running back said.

Michel totaled 133 rushing yards in the Patriots 27-13 win over the Jets. If you ask Patriots players and coaches, they will say that Michel is not a typical rookie.

New England plans to rely on Sony Michel in the last five contests of the regular season. Michel, on the other hand, will rely on his family, especially his mom.

Sony Michel is living his dream. He is playing his best basketball. He is 23, and lives a completely different life than his mom. At 23, Marie was living with her 19-year-month daughter, Lamise, and she did not know a thing about her future. “I left Haiti for a better life,” Marie said.

Marie lived three months in the Bahamas, and took a boat ride to Miami. The only thing she carried with her was a notebook with her sister’s number written in it. She did not speak English, and had to leave her baby girl behind.
Does Michel understand the risk Marie took in her trip to the US?

“No, I think it would be impossible. Now that I’m older, I can kind of have some type of perspective on it. I have some responsibilities now to see the sacrifices she made — both my parents made — and it shows I can’t just think for Sony. I have to do things for other people, too. Especially my family. I need them. They need me.”