Every great athlete has someone behind the scenes who helps them succeed. For NBA player Aaron Nesmith, that person is his father, Bernard Nesmith. Bernard’s life story is about hard work, sacrifice, and family. Let’s learn more about him.
Quick Facts About Bernard Nesmith
| Full Name | Bernard Nesmith |
| Birthdate | 1970 |
| Occupation | Former college football player; Longshoreman (shipyard worker) |
| Husband/Wife | Married to Erine (Ernie) Nesmith |
| Education | Attended Knoxville College (played football in 1979) |
| Age | 55 years and 6 months old |
| Parents | Not Known |
| Siblings | Not Known |
| Children | Sons: Aaron Nesmith (NBA player), Eddie Nesmith (Medical student) |
| Net Worth | <$1 million |
Early Life and Football Career
Bernard Nesmith played football in college. In 1979, he was both an athlete and a student at Knoxville College in Tennessee. Knoxville College is a historically Black institution. Bernard was very talented on the football field.
His talent did not go unnoticed by NFL scouts. The Kansas City Chiefs invited him to their practice squad with an offer of $40,000. That is a lot of money for a young football player. But Bernard rejected it. He took a different road.
Going with Family Over Football
Bernard lacked a good support system at that time. He had to support his family. Rather than pursue a career in football, he worked as a longshoreman. That is, he worked in loading and offloading ships.
He labored in Charleston, South Carolina shipyards for almost 20 years. It was a rough and physically demanding job. In 1999, Bernard injured his back severely. This condition prevented him from working on the docks.
Although Bernard’s professional football dream was cut short, he never lost hope in his family. His strength and diligence created a stable home for his children.
Family Life and Heritage
Bernard is married to Erine (Ernie) Nesmith. They had two sons, Aaron and Eddie, whom they brought up together. The family resides in Charleston.
Bernard and Erine are Nigerian Americans. They maintained their culture and traditions while living in the United States. They desired their sons to grow strong, intelligent, and good human beings.
Raising Two Different Sons
Bernard and Erine’s two sons followed different lives.
Aaron Nesmith turned into a basketball player. He played for Vanderbilt University and now plays in the NBA. Aaron is a talented and hard worker on the court.
Eddie Nesmith pursued school and medicine. He graduated from Harvard with a molecular and cellular biology degree. Now, Eddie is attending school for his medical degree at UCSF. He wishes to assist people and enhance health care.
Although Aaron and Eddie do not work in the same profession, they both reflect the teachings of their parents.
READ ALSO: Aaron Nesmith Net worth, Age, Girlfriend, Family, Facts & More
Bernard’s Role as a Father
Bernard was never absent from his sons. Aaron will frequently discuss how his father, in turn, instructed him regarding hard work. Bernard’s role served as an example for Aaron, illustrating the importance of commitment.
Bernard was there to support Aaron throughout crucial instances, such as the 2020 NBA Draft. The day was especially memorable for their family. It demonstrated all the hard work and sacrifices that went into achieving that.
Bernard’s life lessons taught Aaron to overcome obstacles on and off the court. He learned to remain steadfast and persist no matter what.
