Except that it was 10,957 yesterdays ago – Dec. 25, 1980, to be exact. That’s when Constance and Lloyd Trufant celebrated an already special day with an even more special event, as Marcus Lavon Trufant was born in Tacoma.
“It really does feel like only yesterday,” Constance said this week. “Just the other day I had this thought of, ‘Oh my goodness, my baby is turning 30. How about that?’ It’s hard to believe that 30 years could pass so fast.”
His mother never gave much thought to having a “Christmas baby,” because her due date was Dec. 30.
“I was so naïve, because Marcus was the first child,” she said. “So when I started having contractions, I didn’t think I was in labor. I was like, ‘No, I’ve got five days.’ ”
Instead, she had a few hours. “But everything worked out,” he said.
Trufant never felt like his birthday was overshadowed by Christmas, because his parent made sure to separate the two events.
“It’s been good,” Trufant said. “People always think that my gifts get cut in half and all that kind of stuff. But it’s always been fun. My mom and dad, they always separated it. We did Christmas gifts in the morning and later always came the cake and the happy birthday song.”
Added Constance, “And it was a birthday cake, not a Christmas cake.”
But Constance admits that giving each event its proper due wasn’t as easy as Marcus remembers.
“It was a chore,” she said. “In addition to everything else that goes on at this time of year, it would be like, ‘OK, we’ve got to get Marcus’ birthday cake, too.’ ”
It helped that Constance’s mother was a baker. “So,” she said, “there was always a cake for Marcus.”
Who appreciates the extra effort by his mom and grandmother even more now than he did growing up.
“I’ve always enjoyed it,” Trufant said. “Christmas is a great time. Everybody is always happy. So I’ve always loved that people are full of smiles.”
There were, however, confusing moments at times. Like when Trufant started elementary school and Christmas morning would roll around.
“I knew it was Christmas, of course, so I couldn’t wait to get to the presents under the tree,” he said. “But some of the gifts said ‘From Santa Clause’ and some said ‘Happy Birthday.
"Trufant has played his entire career at “home,” or close to it. He was an all-state football player at Tacoma’s Wilson High School, where he also played basketball and was a triple jumper in track and field. He then went to Washington State, where he did not allow a touchdown pass in his final two seasons and was an All-American and All-Pac-10 selection as a senior. The Seahawks then made him the 11th overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft, and he has been a starter since his rookie season. In 2007, when he had a career-high seven interceptions, Trufant joined Dave Brown and Shawn Springs as the only cornerbacks in franchise history to be voted to the Pro Bowl.
“It’s truly a blessing,” Constance said. “I thank God that Marcus is here and the family can see him, and we can go to all the home games and invite family and friends to see him. It’s been a really beautiful experience; a beautiful time. We’ve enjoyed every bit of it.”
Offered Marcus, “I always say it’s like a storybook. Most people don’t get to play in their hometown. God had a plan for me and it’s just playing out. I’d been good – the love and the support I get, and I’m close to my family.”
His ever-growing family. Trufant and his wife, Jessica, have three daughters – Karmyn, Kimora and Kennedi. The youngest daughter was born on Lloyd’s birthday; the first daughter was born on the same date as Jessica’s father.
“I’m all about family,” Trufant said. “I have a beautiful family of my own. My mom and dad and brothers, we’ve always been close. So it’s always been about family and it’s going to stay that way.”
Having his own children has altered Trufant’s priorities when it comes to his own birthday.
“Sometimes people tend to forget that it’s my birthday, just because of the holidays and everything that’s going on,” he said. “I even find myself doing that sometimes. Now that I have a wife and kids, I’m running around buying gifts. But it’s still great.”
Jessica made sure that her husband’s 30th birthday would be special by throwing him a surprise party a few weeks ago. His family was there, of course, as well as friends. So were some teammates – current and even some from his days at Washington State.
“It was a good deal; a good time,” he said.
And, being a man of faith, Trufant also appreciates the true meaning of Christmas – and who he shares a birthday with.
“I’m in very good company,” he said with a smile.
Trufant also gives back to the community – his community – through the Trufant Family Foundation that his mother runs. He was named the Seahawks Man of the Year in 2006 for his charitable efforts and is a perennial finalist for the award.
“That’s always been important to me,” Trufant said. “Giving back is just something I feel you need to do.”
Trufant also has watched his brothers follow in his footsteps. Isaiah, who went to Eastern Washington University and played in the Arena and United football leagues, was just signed to the New York Jets’ practice squad. Desmond is a cornerback on the University of Washington football team that will play in the Holiday Bowl next week.
Their older brother has been a special player since the day he walked into the Seahawks’ old facility in Kirkland, because of his skills but also because of the kind of person he is.
“The first thing that comes to mind when I kind about Tru is a true professional – in every sense of the word,” said Maurice Kelly, the team’s senior director of player development and also a former safety for the Seahawks. “How he conducts himself on the field. How he conducts himself off the field. How he is a man amongst men. How he is a good father and a good role model for his teammates.
“Like I said, he’s just a true professional.”
“Tru is an outstanding guy, on the field and off, for what he’s meant to the Seahawks,” Milloy said. “Since being drafted here, he not only has gone out and played well he’s used his platform to help out the community. In that regard, there’s no better guy in this locker room.
“Tru is a one-of-a-kind guy. He just kind of stays in his own element. He’s not the biggest rah-rah guy. But you know he’s there. For him to last as long as he has, and at the left corner position, that says a lot.”
“When I first got here, I saw what Tru was doing with his foundation and thought it was a good thing to do,” said Babineaux, who grew up in Port Arthur, Texas, and joined the Seahawks in 2004. “Plus, I kind of compare Tacoma and Port Arthur, in the sense that it’s a lot of lower-class, middle-class, struggling individuals who really are looking for someone like myself or Tru to come back down there and help them out.
“If Tru doesn’t go back to Tacoma and give back to those kids and let them see where he came from, then no one will.”
Atlanta coach Mike Smith was more succinct in his appraisal of Trufant last week, as the Falcons were preparing to face the Seahawks at Qwest Field.
“Marcus Trufant is one of the top elite corners in the league,” Smith said. “You’ve always got to know where he is.”
No matter how good – or old – Trufant gets, he’ll always remain what he was all those yesterdays ago.
“He’s our special Christmas baby,” Constance said. “Always has been. Always will.”
