In 2001, Stacy Gooden-Crandle spent her first Mother’s Day with her son, future Seattle Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall, in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit). Hall was born at only 23 weeks and weighed 2 lbs. 9 oz. Doctors said he had just a one percent chance of survival. Even so, Gooden-Crandle believed in his fighting spirit and stayed hopeful.
“He was born dead,” Gooden-Crandle tells BlackDoctor. “And prior to his birth, they wanted me to sign a form that just says ‘allow nature to take its course.’ And so I think for me, that was the first fight that I endured because I wanted to give my son the best opportunity to succeed.”
When Hall was put on life support, Gooden-Crandle remembers a doctor giving a difficult update: “Well, you know, the next couple of hours are touch and go; if he survived through the night, he would probably just have a 1% chance of living.”
Gooden-Crandle credits her faith for sustaining her through those moments with Hall, who arrived just eight days before her 26th birthday. “I’m a woman of faith. I believe that God can do anything but fail. So with my faith and the village that I have … kind of helped me get through those trying times,” she adds.
That faith was tested during a dramatic moment in the NICU when Hall crashed and the staff cleared the room. “It was a bit scary. But at the same time, Derick was showing a lot of fight,” Gooden-Crandle shares
Growing up, Hall was largely unaware of the gravity of his beginnings; he didn’t learn the full story until he was in college. “She showed me a picture, and I was like, ‘That was me?’ and she was like, ‘Yeah,’ and I’m like, ‘You’re lying, ain’t no way that was me,’” he recalls. This revelation sparked a deep curiosity, leading him to ask for the full story prior to the NFL pre-draft.
That early struggle shaped the Super Bowl champion he is today. Hall remembers the physical limitations of his childhood: “The part about growing up, I just remember … kids were outside playing and running, and I couldn’t do those things because my body wasn’t in condition for extracurricular activities,” he says. “While the kids were outside running, I’m stuck in the house just looking out the window like, ‘I want to go play.’ I physically didn’t have the stamina to do those things.”
When finally cleared to play flag football, his first game was a milestone. “I ran around, and I was done—I was done for like a half. Then I would go back out and run around, and by the next half, I was done again. So I played very little, but that meant so much to me because I was able to do things that normal kids were able to do. I think that has paid dividends for me going forward; it molded me into the person I am,” the 25-year-old adds.
As Hall’s career took off, he and Gooden-Crandle saw an opportunity to use his platform to advocate for NICU families. Currently, they are partnering with Huggies. The brand’s Natural Born Fighters campaign supports NICU babies, families, and caregivers by offering products specifically designed for premature and medically fragile infants.
Huggies worked with NICU nurses and therapists to make nano-preemie diapers for babies under two pounds and micro-preemie diapers for babies under four pounds. To make sure they are the best quality, Huggies has hand-inspected over 38 million of these diapers in Neenah, Wisconsin. They are made without harsh irritants and are gentle on delicate skin while helping with proper hip alignment.
“This partnership with Huggies is just perfect for us because Derick fought from the very beginning. And so it was just my job to advocate for that little fighter that he was,” Gooden-Crandle shares. “A lot of people don’t know the plight and the journey that families face as a NICU family.”
For Hall, the campaign was a “no-brainer.” “They make these special diapers for each child. This isn’t like a mass production deal where they just make them smaller; no, these are hand-picked off the line. The way these guys show that they care and the love and support they put into these diapers for families… it was just a no-brainer for me and my family to be a part of,” he notes.
With this campaign, Huggies wants people to see NICU babies not as “fragile” but as “resilient fighters.” Each box comes with an inspiring note to help families stay strong. The campaign launch is timed to match Mother’s Day (May 10) and National Nurses Week (May 6–12), celebrating both mothers and caregivers.
Hall, who was the 37th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, now shares his story to inspire others. “Everyone’s journey isn’t the same—some may be doctors, some may be lawyers, some may be NFL players—but whatever journey you decided to take in life, you were always born to be a fighter. Keep that fight,” he says.
Gooden-Crandle agrees and highlights the importance of parents speaking up. “Make sure you ask those questions when you’re uncertain. Don’t let anything fall by the wayside. Be there. Work with the staff,” she advises. “I know a lot of times we don’t want to ask questions because we don’t want to offend anyone. But this is your child. This is the person that God gave you to fight for.”
She says Hall’s grade 4 brain bleed was a key moment in her advocacy. “I didn’t stick with one neurologist. I sought opinions in New Orleans and other states to ensure the best chance,” she adds.
In addition to working with Huggies, Hall and Gooden-Crandle started the Derick Hall One Percent Foundation. This nonprofit helps NICU families and gives young people resources for wellness, opportunity, and making a positive impact in their communities.
Mother’s Day is especially meaningful to Gooden-Crandle because both her son and daughter were born in the NICU.
“Going into Mother’s Day this year is extra special because I’m able to bring awareness to a platform that’s near and dear to my heart [and] share Mother’s Day with both of my children who are alive, well, and happy,” she shares.
To celebrate her strength and their shared journey, Hall is sending her on a trip this year.
To learn more or get involved, visit huggies.com/littlefighters.
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