Chuba Hubbard has built a name for himself through football, but his journey to the NFL was shaped long before he became a professional player. Behind the Canadian running back’s success is a family story filled with hard work, sacrifice and plenty of support.
Hubbard was raised primarily by his mother, Candace, and his stepfather, Lester Yearwood. His biological father left the family when Chuba was only three years old, but Hubbard has spoken about how he was never truly without a father figure. Candace and Lester remained important parts of his life as he grew from a young football player in Alberta into an NFL running back.
Born on June 11, 1999, Chuba Robert-Shamar Hubbard grew up in Edmonton, Alberta, before his family eventually settled in Sherwood Park. His early years were not always easy, particularly for his mother, who had to raise several children while studying nursing and working long shifts.
Who Are Chuba Hubbard’s Parents?
Chuba Hubbard’s mother is Candace Hubbard, while his stepfather is Lester Yearwood. Candace played a major role in raising Chuba and his siblings after his biological father left the family when he was very young.
Candace has often been described as one of the biggest influences in her son’s life. Hubbard has expressed deep appreciation for everything she did for him and his siblings while they were growing up.
Raising four children was not simple. Candace was originally from Manitoba, while much of her extended family lived far away. She had to manage family responsibilities largely on her own for a period while attending nursing school and working long hours.
The family also moved between Edmonton and other parts of Alberta during Chuba’s childhood. Despite the challenges, Candace worked hard to keep the family together.
Hubbard has credited his mother for being a strong and dependable person throughout his childhood. Her support became especially important when his football career started to develop.
Candace Hubbard Supported Chuba’s Football Dreams
Interestingly, Candace was not immediately comfortable with the idea of her young son playing football.
Her hesitation came largely from concerns about the physical nature of the sport. When Chuba was around nine years old, he wanted to take part in organized football, but his mother had understandable worries about injuries and contact.
Eventually, she allowed him to pursue the sport.
That decision turned out to be a major moment in Hubbard’s life. He quickly showed that he had unusual athletic ability and a natural feel for running the football.
Candace later became one of his biggest supporters and was recognized as Football Canada’s Mother of the Year. She also spoke about the experience of being a football mother and the concerns she had when Chuba first started playing.
Her journey from a hesitant parent to a proud football supporter is an important part of Hubbard’s story.
Lester Yearwood Became an Important Father Figure
While Chuba’s biological father was no longer around after his parents separated, his stepfather, Lester Yearwood, became an important part of his upbringing.
Hubbard has acknowledged Lester for stepping into the family and providing stability. For a child growing up without his biological father, having a supportive adult figure can make a huge difference.
Lester was there as Chuba developed both personally and athletically. His role was not simply connected to football. He became part of the family structure that helped Hubbard navigate his childhood.
That support continued as Hubbard moved away from home and eventually began playing college football in the United States.
Chuba Hubbard Has Siblings Too
Hubbard is understood to be the youngest of four children. One of his sisters is Adaeze Hubbard, who has pursued a career in music and entrepreneurship.
Adaeze is associated with R&B and soul music and has also worked on creative and business projects. She has described herself as an entrepreneur in addition to her work as an artist.
The Hubbard family has remained an important part of Chuba’s life as his football career has progressed.
His extended family has also included his grandmother, Cecile Hubbard, who reportedly worked as a nurse for more than four decades before retiring in 2018.
Growing Up in Alberta
Chuba’s football journey began in Canada, where he developed his athletic skills before heading south to play college football.
He attended Bev Facey Community High School in Sherwood Park. During his high school career, he became one of the most exciting young football players in the region.
Over three seasons, Hubbard reportedly rushed for 6,880 yards on 458 attempts and scored 82 touchdowns. Those numbers helped establish him as a major Canadian football prospect.
His athletic ability eventually attracted attention from American colleges, and he committed to Oklahoma State University.
For Candace, seeing her son leave Canada was an emotional experience. She had spent years supporting him, so watching him move away at 18 was naturally difficult.
Leaving Home for Oklahoma State
Moving to the United States for college was a major step for Hubbard.
Candace reportedly worried about how her son was adjusting after leaving home. At one point, she contacted Oklahoma State coaches because she believed Chuba was unhappy and needed additional support.
Even after he moved away, she continued to care for him in a very hands-on way.
When she visited Oklahoma, she would reportedly bring containers filled with some of his favorite home-cooked meals, including Nigerian stew and okra soup. Those small family touches helped Hubbard maintain a connection to home while living far away.
The transition was not always easy, but it ultimately helped him grow into an accomplished college football player.
Chuba Hubbard’s College Football Rise
Hubbard’s career at Oklahoma State quickly gained momentum.
After redshirting his first season in 2017, he appeared in 13 games in 2018 and rushed for 740 yards on 124 carries, scoring seven touchdowns.
He then broke out in a major way during the 2019 season. Hubbard led the NCAA in rushing and became one of the most recognizable players in college football.
That season also brought him the Cornish Trophy, which recognizes the top Canadian player in NCAA football.
His success at Oklahoma State made him a highly regarded NFL prospect. For his family, it was the payoff from years of sacrifice, travel and support.
Chuba Hubbard Reaches the NFL
Hubbard entered the NFL after being selected by the Carolina Panthers in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft with the 126th overall pick.
The selection marked another major milestone for the Canadian running back and his family.
According to the supplied information, Hubbard signed a four-year contract worth approximately $4.2 million, including a reported signing bonus of more than $700,000.
He had also been selected by the Calgary Stampeders in the 2021 CFL Draft, but ultimately continued his professional career in the NFL.
His move to Carolina represented the realization of a dream that began when he was a young boy playing football in Alberta.
His Family Remains Part of His Story
Although Hubbard’s football career has taken him far from Canada, his family remains closely connected to his journey.
Candace’s influence is especially significant. She was the parent who initially worried about football but eventually became one of her son’s most passionate supporters.
Lester Yearwood also played an important role by becoming a stable father figure after Chuba’s biological father left the family.
Together, their support helped Hubbard handle the difficult transition from childhood football in Canada to major college football in the United States and eventually the NFL.
Chuba Hubbard’s story is therefore about more than rushing yards, touchdowns and draft selections. It is also about a mother who worked long hours to provide for her children, a stepfather who helped provide stability, and a young athlete who took the opportunities in front of him.
From Edmonton and Sherwood Park to Oklahoma State and the NFL, Hubbard’s journey shows how much family support can matter behind a professional athlete’s success.