Odell Beckham Jr. Is ‘On Standby’ for the Birth of His First Child During the Super Bowl

It’s a busy week for Odell Beckham Jr., but it could get even more intense: The Los Angeles Rams wide receiver is expecting a child with his girlfriend, Lauren Wood, and the little one could arrive soon. As in, during the Super Bowl soon. 

The football player told reporters on Friday, February 11 that he’s excited to see the birth of his first child—even if it meant missing the big game against the Cincinnati Bengals. 

“I don’t need you to put that energy in the air about the Saturday night or the Sunday thing,’’ Beckham said when asked about the possibility of Wood giving birth during Super Bowl weekend, per The New York Post. “I think God has a different plan. I don’t need it during the Super Bowl. I want to see my child being born, so I’m on watch.”

He added, according to the Associated Press, “Literally my phone is right here just in case, so I’m on call. I’m on watch. I’m on standby.”

The couple announced Wood’s pregnancy in November 2021, after the model and fitness instructor shared a maternity photo shoot to her Instagram feed. “🖤🧬👩‍🍼🌍ilyilyily,” she captioned the announcement. The two have kept most details of their relationship private, though they first went public with their relationship in November 2019 when Wood celebrated Beckham’s birthday; in February 2020, they walked the Vanity Fairs Oscars party red carpet together. 

On her 28th birthday, he shared a sentimental post about his love for her. “Thru thick and thin everyday wit u has been a blessing,” he wrote on social media. “I kno that God has placed you in my life for a special reason, and excited about that adventure to find out why… My favorite thing about us is US and no one or anything in this world can come between that. Happy glow day to my hipbone! I love u YUMI! Time to elevate!!”