A revelatory examination of the choices we make as parents and children, explored through the true story of an adopted Black man on a journey to find his biological family and discover where and to whom he truly belongs.
Runs in the Family follows the remarkable true story of Deland McCullough, a football coach and father of four whose life was forever changed by the unsealing of his adoption records. His hidden past harbored an astonishing secret.
In 1972, sixteen-year-old Carol Briggs gave birth to Jon Kenneth Briggs during a snowstorm in Pittsburgh and made the difficult decision to put him up for adoption, hoping he would land in a stable, two-parent household. Adopted by a well-known Youngstown, Ohio, radio DJ and his wife, Jon was renamed Deland McCullough. Deland’s childhood was far from idyllic, disrupted by his adoptive parents’ turbulent divorce and his mother’s subsequent abusive relationships.
Amid this uncertainty and instability at home, football became a sanctuary, providing Deland with mentorship and a sense of belonging. He learned to channel his insecurities and feelings of disconnection into an unrelenting drive to prove his doubters wrong and surpass the expectations others had for him.
After making the transition from professional player to respected coach, Deland’s longing to understand his origins intensified, driven by a desire to fill out his family medical history and piece together the fragmented parts of his identity. The search that ensued led to a life-altering discovery, an examination of family in all its forms, and an exploration of all the ways we inherit, learn, and disrupt generational trauma.
Based on Emmy and Peabody Award–winning sports journalist Sarah Spain’s viral ESPN article, Runs in the Family is an emotional examination of the sacrifices, choices, and nurturing that shape us and our loved ones. It offers a heartfelt testament to the profound impact of family and the kind of love and mentorship that can forge enduring bonds that transcend biology.
“[Runs in the Family] is a book about trauma, family, and hope, threaded with moments of profound sadness and unbelievable joy throughout. Even non-sports fans will love this incredible story." —Booklist
“Poignant… a sensitive, observant reflection on trauma’s long tail and a veritable how-to on responding to unforeseeable events with exemplary grace.” —Kirkus Reviews
“The story of Deland McCullough is a break-your-brain/explode-your-heart story. Skillfully woven throughout, Runs in the Family is paradigm-shifting wisdom about mentorship, generational trauma, emotional DNA, and the transformational power of parenthood in all its forms. Like all our stories, Deland’s is one about family secrets, breaking cycles, and how the truth first hurts us and then heals us.” —Glennon Doyle, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Untamed
“The best sports stories have a beating heart you can feel, and the best sports reporters know just where to put the stethoscope. I didn’t know Deland McCullough had one of those stories, but I do know that I’ll always place my attention wherever Sarah Spain places her caring, craftsmanship, and compassion. In everything from her eye to her empathy, Sarah accompanies Deland with grace toward vulnerable discoveries that can sometimes be too much for even our toughest gladiators and conquerors. There’s real intimacy when a fighter and a writer team up to take us, like all the best stories in the arena do, to the roots of the human condition.” —Dan Le Batard, award-winning sportswriter, television personality, and podcast host
