Alex Barrett looks to join Karlie Culp as the only Yuma-born NFL players to win a Super Bowl

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (KYMA, KECY-TV) – To date, there is only one NFL player born in Yuma who has won a Super Bowl. Hall of Famer Curly Culp won his first and only ring in 1970 as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Fifty-four years later, San Francisco 49ers member Alex Barrett could be the second.

“When I heard that, it gave me chills,” said Alex's mother, Elena Barrett. “I did not know that.”

Alex was born on March 6, 1994 at Yuma Regional Medical Center in Yuma. Alex's mother Elena grew up in Tacna.

“My father was a farmer,” Elena said. “I have a younger sister and we went to Antelope High School together.”

Alex's father, Audrey, grew up in Winter Haven and graduated from Yuma High School. The couple met while attending Arizona Western College.

“We studied for two years before we got married. I was one semester short,” Elena said.

“This is their love story,” Alex said. “My great-grandmother lived right by the canal in Winter Haven. There was a trailer park farm nearby and my dad grew up there.”

The young family flew from Yuma to Salinas and then back to Yuma.

“Audrey worked at Fresh Express, so we used to travel to Salinas a lot because it was lettuce season everywhere,” Elena said.

The family then moved to San Diego and eventually settled in the Chandler, Arizona area. When Alex was a child, he often played baseball. When he was about 9 years old, his father decided to enroll him in Pop Warner Football.

“Yes, it was my dad. He was the one who encouraged me,” Alex said. “He introduced me and said, ‘Let’s give it a try.’ I played a lot of baseball and he coached me, but he was the one who introduced me to football. I love everything about football.”

In order to play Pop Warner football, Alex had to gain weight.

“Although he was young, he was a very big child,” Elena said. “Back then, kids were divided into teams by weight. Alex had to lose 26 pounds just to make the team, but that was the case with older, much bigger kids. ”

Alex's father motivated him and helped him lose weight.

“It was tough,” Elena said. “It was tough because he loved burritos, but he did it. He made the team.”

According to Elena, Alex was very good at baseball, but then he hit a wall. Meanwhile, Alex was active in football.

“The motivation came from Audrey and I,” Elena said. “We told him to keep going because something happened. That's one of the unusual things.”

Alex blossomed during his high school years at Desert Ridge, earning first-team All-State honors twice. After high school, he attended San Diego State University and became the first San Diego State defensive lineman to earn multiple All-Mountain West first-team honors. Despite his numerous awards, his name was not called in the 2017 NFL Draft.

“It's left a scar on my shoulder,” Alex said, “I did some really good things at San Diego State.”

Alex would eventually sign with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent. Just as Alex's professional career was starting to take off, his father's health began to decline. In 2013, Audrey had her thyroid removed due to cancer. He soon began drinking to cope with the stress and constant complications.

“My father's symptoms gradually worsened,” Elena said. “It was Alex's first year with the Detroit Lions. There was so much that Alex was trying to absorb in his first year that his father didn't want to bother him.”

In November 2017, Audrey was in and out of the hospital. He died in May 2018 after Audrey battled liver cirrhosis, a complication of alcohol abuse.

“I think that's a big burden on him. [Alex’s] “I don't think he feels like he has enough time, so it doesn't bother him,” Elena said. “At that moment, you never know if it's going to end or not.”

After two years with the Lions, Alex was released. He then played for the San Diego Fleet of the American Football Federation. The league has since disbanded, but Alex will continue to work towards returning to the NFL.

“He said, 'Happy anniversary mom, I'm a Raider,'” Elena said. “When I first met Audrey, he was a Raider fan.”

Alex signed with the Raiders on April 5, 2019.

“I think it was a gift because we were still grieving,” Elena said. “We've been married for 25 years and it's been a very difficult time for me. That's all I knew.”

Alex's stay with the Raiders was short. He was released later that fall, but was quickly scouted by the San Francisco 49ers.

“His option is to never quit,” Elena said. “There's always something bigger and better in his heart. That's why he's determined to be on the roster.”

During his time in the NFL, Alex has been involved in closing 50 deals, ranging from contracts, releases, transfers to the practice squad, promotions to the active roster, and demotions to the practice squad.

“He's enjoying every part of it,” Elena said. “He's very happy with the 49'ers and he's building his own family in this area.”

Alex is also one of the few Hispanic players in the NFL.

“I'm Mexican and African American, and the Mexican side is from Hermosillo,” Alex said. “It's really an honor to represent Mexican culture. We're very proud and we work hard. Honestly, we work hard and stay in our lane and do our own thing. Just do your job.”

Alex was able to accompany San Francisco when the team plays Arizona in Mexico City during the 2022 season.

“It's great to express your culture and heritage,” Alex said. “My family is everything. Not too big, but very small. They have shown me love, support, and appreciation throughout my journey.”

That trip led Alex to his second Super Bowl in San Francisco. He was a member of the team that lost to Kansas City in Miami in 2019. Now he and the 49'ers will have another shot at a Super Bowl title. They will play Kansas City again.

If San Francisco wins, Alex Barrett will join Carly Culp as the only Yuma-born players to win a Super Bowl.

“If I hadn't gone undrafted, I don't think I would be in the situation I'm in right now,” Alex said. “This is part of my journey and I love proving people wrong.”

Alex was activated from the practice squad to the active roster on Saturday afternoon, the day before Super Bowl 58 in Las Vegas.

“I'm so proud of him,” Elena said. “He's come a long way and earned a lot of respect from players and coaches. It's been a great journey.”