Cleveland Browns' Hakeem Adeniji Asks for Help to Pursue Surrogacy After Stillbirth of Son: 'Best Way to Feel Somewhat Normal'

Mar. 15, 2025

Hakeem Adeniji.Photo:Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty

Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty

Hakeem Adenijiand his wife Kayla are pursuing surrogacy after experiencing an unimaginable loss.

On Tuesday, Dec. 3, the Cleveland Browns player, 26, shared a lengthy post onhis Instagram Stories, asking for help as he announced that he and Kayla have decided to use a surrogate to grow their family. Adeniji announced earlier this fall that his son Semiu Zade Adeniji wasstillborn after arriving six days before his due date.

“Never been someone to ask for help but here we are,” Adeniji wrote in his post. “Kayla and I have decided to pursue surrogacy as we think it’s probably the best way to feel somewhat normal as we don’t know when she can get pregnant again.”

“We never expect anything from anyone, but if you’d like to help just know that we appreciate it more than you can imagine. This entire journey has been taxing in so many ways, and assistance, even if it’s just sharingthe link, would be thanked and welcomed,” he added, thanking his followers for their support.

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Hakeem Adeniji.Hakeem Adeniji/Instagram

Hakeem Adeniji/Instagram

“It was the worst moment of my life,” Adeniji said. “Everybody that knows me knows how bad I wanted to be a dad.”

“It’s been a little over a week since we lost our boy. There’s been, anger, sadness, and emptiness. The fact that he is gone has set in now and nothing can change that,” he shared. “I’ll never get to see him grow up, and he’ll never get to read his journal I wrote for him. I miss him and l’ll miss him everyday for the rest of my life.”

He later wrote, “This will be hard, but that’s life. Always has been and probably always will be. We appreciate all the prayers, support and well wishes from everyone it is much appreciated. I still want to be a dad more than anything else in this world, and he gave me that even though it was short lived. When and if I ever get that opportunity again I’ll never take a day for granted. I love my boy and he will live through us.”

Adeiji’s wife Kayla posted additional hospital photos of the family onher own Instagram, sharing her emotional thoughts in her caption.

“He got us through so much this year and stayed so strong for us for so long. I will always remember holding him and smelling him. He was just perfect. Oh my sweet boy mommy and daddy will always smile when we think of you, I promise. Please look out for us my angel 🪽.”

source: people.com