Falcons DE John Abraham is raising his nephews after their turbulent start in life.

ATLANTA- Will he stay or will he go? That was the question that surrounded Atlanta Falcons DE John Abraham during this season’s free agency period.

The Falcons reportedly were ready to let “the Predator” walk in a move that would removed the veteran leadership out of the defensive side of the team’s locker room.

Obviously despite offers from reportedly the Broncos and Titans, John decided to take what Atlanta had on the table.

But why? The sudden shift back to the team that shook-him-free from the Jets seemed sudden.  Now thanks to comments were run in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, we have the reasons why.

Abraham has taken on the responsibility for raising his nephews that were growing up on the wrong path in his native South Carolina. Initially, he took in one child for the past year and since then has added two other boys and their mother into-the-mix of his household.

Stability be it financial or otherwise and generosity are the two currencies of value in his life. This was apparent as he spoke about the values that he is instilling into all of the boys and in particularly the oldest Tyquan.

“I raise my nephew now, so I’m trying to get him back in his right ways,” Abraham said. “He’s in summer school now. I’ve been here most of the time.”

“The 16-year-old [Tyquan] and 14-year-old [Jajuan], they need to be in school and be around kids,” Abraham said. “They were kind of just sitting in the house. … Pretty much not doing [anything].”

As for the group as a whole John has a program set up for them.

“First of all, just getting them to school,” Abraham said. “[Nothing] else really matters right now. I want to get them back on track now, like my first nephew [Tyquan].”

Tyquan is following in John’s footsteps on the field, yet he had to prove himself to earn an opportunity to play ball.

“I’m going to let him play football this year,” Abraham said. “Last year, it was more like getting his grades right. He’s in summer school now. I’m trying to get him back in his right grade.”

“I saw him in the spring game, and he did pretty good,” Abraham said. “I was surprised. He kept telling me that he was an athlete, but I didn’t believe him. He played pretty good, and he’s doing well. He’s really growing up and becoming a mature young man.”

As someone that understands how hard it can be to grow-up without a father figure and be successful, Abraham is certainly worthy of writing a curriculum on maturity through adversity.