Rome Odunze Parents: Meet James Odunze and Necia Bunnell

Rome Odunze, the Chicago Bears wide receiver and former Washington Huskies football star, was raised by his parents, James Odunze and Necia Bunnell, in Las Vegas, Nevada. His father introduced him to his Nigerian heritage and encouraged him to pursue excellence, while his mother, a real estate professional, helped develop his strong work ethic. Their influence remains an important part of his NFL journey, with renewed attention on the family following a profile published in October 2026.

Born on June 3, 2002, Odunze grew up in a family that valued education, discipline and cultural identity. His parents supported his football ambitions long before he became a first-round NFL Draft selection.

Who Are Rome Odunze’s Parents?

Rome Odunze’s parents are James Odunze and Necia Bunnell.

James has Nigerian ancestry, while Necia grew up in Utah before establishing her professional career in Nevada.

The couple raised Rome in Las Vegas, where he developed an interest in football during childhood.

Both parents encouraged him to work hard without placing unnecessary pressure on a particular career.

Their support eventually helped him attend Bishop Gorman High School, one of Nevada’s most successful football programs.

Rome Odunze’s Father James Odunze

James Odunze has been an important influence on his son’s personal identity and sporting ambitions.

He has Nigerian heritage and encouraged Rome to understand the history of his paternal family.

James also has a strong interest in history, particularly the Roman Empire. That fascination inspired him to name his son Rome.

During an interview in 2024, the football player explained that understanding his family’s African roots gave him additional motivation to succeed.

He spoke about the importance of honoring his ancestors and representing the Odunze family name.

James also encouraged his son to pursue excellence in both education and athletics.

Rome Odunze’s Mother Necia Bunnell

Necia Bunnell is a real estate agent based in Las Vegas.

She grew up on her family’s dairy farm in Provo, Utah, where she learned the importance of responsibility from an early age.

As a child, Necia helped care for farm animals before attending school.

She later carried those lessons into her professional career and her approach to parenting.

Necia has regularly celebrated Rome’s achievements through social media, sharing photographs and messages about his football journey.

When he entered the 2024 NFL Draft, she reflected on the years of dedication that had brought him to professional football.

How His Mother’s Family Farm Shaped His Childhood

One of the most distinctive parts of Rome Odunze’s upbringing involved spending summers at his maternal grandfather’s farm in Utah.

Rather than spending every vacation relaxing, he helped with everyday agricultural responsibilities.

His duties included caring for animals and understanding the demanding schedule involved in running a farm.

Rome later explained that the experience taught him discipline because the work could not simply be postponed.

Watching his grandfather work long hours also helped him appreciate the sacrifices involved in supporting a family.

These childhood lessons became particularly valuable when he began training seriously for football.

Rome Odunze’s Nigerian Heritage and Family Background

Rome Odunze is American by nationality and has Nigerian ancestry through his father.

He has spoken proudly about knowing his family’s origins and maintaining a connection to his African heritage.

His paternal grandfather’s family history has been especially meaningful to him.

Rome has described how understanding his ancestors’ experiences motivates him to achieve more in his own career.

He views his success as an opportunity to honor previous generations and create opportunities for those who follow.

His cultural background remains an important part of his identity beyond professional football.

How His Parents Supported His Football Career

James and Necia helped Rome enroll at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas.

The school was known for its competitive football program and demanding training environment.

Rome developed into a standout wide receiver before joining the University of Washington in 2020.

At Washington, he became one of college football’s leading receivers and helped the Huskies reach the national championship game for the 2023 season.

The Chicago Bears selected him with the ninth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

His parents continued supporting him after he entered the league.

During his first NFL offseason, James and Necia even helped him practice Chicago’s offensive plays by calling formations while he ran routes.

Rome Odunze’s Parents and His NFL Success

Odunze has repeatedly credited his parents with helping him develop confidence and determination.

His father encouraged him to take pride in his heritage, while his mother demonstrated the value of consistent effort.

Their influence helped him adjust to the demanding environments of high school football, college athletics and the NFL.

James Odunze and Necia Bunnell provided more than encouragement. Their lessons about family, responsibility and perseverance helped establish the foundation for their son’s professional football career.

Rome Odunze’s parents remain important figures in his personal story. From his childhood in Las Vegas to his development with the Chicago Bears, their support continues to reflect the family values that shaped him long before he became an NFL player.