Mother’s, whether present or not, are our biggest supporters. They are the ones we look to for approval and guidance. Every day should be Mother’s Day. This is the person who loves you unconditionally and has instilled your values in you. However, this is the day we designate especially, so let’s celebrate and acknowledge them. We love our moms, grandmothers, aunts, stepmoms, fathers, teachers or whoever that person was who was been there for you. No one ever or will again sacrifice as our mothers have for us.
Each player was escorted down the Red Carpet on Thursday, May 8th by their lovely mothers. Each of the mothers dressed in their best. The pride they felt for their sons was unmistakable. Some much like Greg Robinson mentioned, will be the first time their moms are dressed so extravagantly. He mentioned how he went out to help her find a dress for such a once and a lifetime event. Robinson spoke on the Red Carpet how he appreciates his mother for, “how she raised me, she made me humble, we came from humble beginnings, and we really didn’t have much, but she was always there, through everything we went through, and she supported me. And I’m going to repay her.” These boys walked proud with their mom, and weren’t shy to yell out to their mom to come join them in the interviews or in photo booths. Until called upon, as mothers always do, they stood back and admired their sons in all their glory. The mothers didn’t need to be in the light, they were just happy to see their son’s and all their hard work paying off. Robinson went into detail with, “the motivation that has gotten me through this whole process is my family. And my struggle, just what I have been through, coming from what I come from. It’s a blessing just to see this; I’ve never seen all the lights. This is my first time to New York City. I have always just expected more out of life. Now that I’m in the position to take care of my mom and the rest of my family, it’s just a blessing”. 
Some moms such as Cody Latimer’s mother and Teddy Bridgewater’s mother told them to keep playing football even when circumstances seemed like it was time to give up. Bridgewater told his mother he was going to quit playing the game, so that he could support his mother through her trials and tribulations of breast cancer, “she told me I’m blessed, and God blessed me with talent and so use that talent to the best of my abilities, and take advantage. So basically, she told me to have a purpose in life and that’s one thing I took away from her. Besides her fight, determination and sacrifices that she made, just to have a purpose and live that purpose out loud.” Teddy’s talent came full circle and he has been able to give back to his mother not only emotionally, but for her birthday on May 6th and Mother’s Day, Cadillac donated the pink Cadillac Escalade that Teddy promised to his mother when they found out she had breast cancer when Teddy was 3rd grade.
Mother’s day is time to recognize our grandmothers as well, and Calvin Pryor said it right, when he said, “the first thought when I woke up [this draft day morning] was of my grandmother, who passed away. I wish she could be here to share this moment with me.” With all the joys going on in these players lives through the NFL Draft, they are remembering the ladies whom got them to where they stand today. The ones who kept them off the streets, and no matter if it’s Mother’s Day or not, they are showing them their appreciation for the sacrifices they made for them each and every day.
Some players took the less sentimental approach when talking about their moms, Eric Ebron, joked, “I most admire my mom for dealing with me for the last 21 years. And then you had mother son duos like Taylor Lewan and his mother taking the Red Carpet in a more 
lighthearted fashion while, rocking the matching Ray-bans. It was great to see the sense of humor in the gentleman even at what might be one of the most stressful times of their lives. Blake Bortles laughs that he most appreciates his mother, because she gave birth to me”. But to be sincere, he followed up with. “I appreciate everything she taught me growing up, all the characteristics and traits that she instilled in me. She is my hero”. And you can never forget about the good ole home cooking. Robinson didn’t miss a beat, when asked what he most loved about his mom, he said, “her cooking especially her shrimp stew, gumbo, or whatever you name”.
And we can’t forget about the mother’s that raised their boys on their own. Cody Latimer’s mother “raised us as a single mother. 
She was there for me through the ups and downs and always made a way for me. I feel like it’s my turn to return the favor”. When asked about what motivated Latimer through this whole process he responded with, “my family and pride are the number one motivators through this process. Looking out for my mom and my little brother, I just want to support them. Bradley Roby is another prospect who was raised by a single mother, he speaks of how his mother, “is such a strong lady, she raised me by herself and through the ups and downs she always had my back. God love her.” And he kept the atmosphere fun when he joked, “I was a handful growing up and I still am”. But before he left said the priceless words that every mother longs to hear, “she’s a great mom”.
Don’t forget to tell your mother, whomever she may be, she could be the woman who took the role of being that figure to you, that you love her and appreciate her because she went through detriments in her life to make sure yours was better than hers. She brought you into this world and for that you are forever grateful. Tell her like Roby did about his mother, “she’s a great mom”.
