Dreams do come true but with stipulations. Of the 73,660 players who played NCAA college football in 2016-17, only 1.5 percent made it to the NFL according to ncaa.org. Of the 253 draft picks, 251 got drafted from the NCAA. So for 251 players, dreams come true.
As a sign of gratitude, once everything falls into place, some players pay it forward to their parents who sacrificed so much for them. Let's go through and see some of these heart-warming stories of NFL players who gifted their parents once their dreams became reality. Just wait until you see what Amari Cooper did.
Early Promises Fulfilled
When you are young and you see your mother going through struggles, if you have any type of compassion then you would hope for all those struggles to end. Teddy Bridgewater's mother, Rose Murphy, was a breast-cancer survivor when Bridgewater was just nine. He promised that he would give her an all-pink Cadillac when he grew up.
Spike Lee heard of this story and reached out to the young quarterback after he was drafted. Cadillac agreed to give Rose Murphy a free car. "I did not buy that Cadillac," Bridgewater told USA TODAY Sports. "It was a Cadillac deal. They heard our story and wanted to just take action." Needless to say, Rose was overjoyed.
Big Deal Means Big Payback
Rasha Jennings isn't really a staple name in the NFL. He currently plays for the New York Giants and has also played for the Jaguars and Raiders. In 2014, however, he had a breakout year and was rewarded when he signed a four-year, $10 million deal. He first bought himself a $18,000 hyperbaric chamber. Then he bought his mom an outstanding house which he called a small gesture.
"Mom... (words can't explain)," the running back wrote on Twitter. "You gave me more than a home. Here's a small token in return... #ShadFromTheHeart."
The Hard-Hitting Kam Has A Soft Spot
Kam Chancellor plays for the Seattle Seahawks and is known as the hardest hitter amongst the Legion of Boom. That is what the Seahawks' defense calls themselves. Chancellor grew up in a tough neighborhood in Norfolk, Virginia while his mom worked several jobs as a single parent. When Chancellor signed his big deal he surprised his mom with a new home with family friends in attendance!
"My mom don't really ask for much, but I like to surprise her," Chancellor said. "She deserves every bit of it. I swear it felt like I got a new house. I felt proud. I felt like a proud son." His mom used to put clothes in containers because there was not enough room in the closets for her and her kids. Now she doesn't have to worry about that.
J.J. Was Waiting His Whole Life For This
J.J. Watt is the most fearsome force on the defensive side of the football field. If you see him coming at you full speed, you had better hope someone is ready to block for you. His latest contract signing made him one rich player so that gave him the opportunity to do something he has been waiting his whole life for: gifting his mom.
Watt posted this photo on Twitter with the caption, "I've wanted to be able to do this my whole life," he wrote. "For all you've worked and sacrificed, you deserve it. Happy B-Day Mom!"
The Rookie Brings His Mom To Tears
When Ace Sanders was drafted to the Jacksonville Jaguars, he signed a four-year $2.61 million contract with the team. The wide receiver had big plans with those millions he was granted and it involved his mother. He decided that he would give her the gift during the holiday season.
Six days before Christmas, Sanders gave his mom the keys to a $300,000 four-bedroom home in Tampa that wasn't far from where Ace grew up. "Mama just called me in tears! She was handed the keys to her new house," Sanders exclaimed. His mom couldn't have been happier.
Eddie Lacy Steps Up
After Hurricane Katrina, Eddie Lacy's parents were forced to uproot after their home was destroyed. They were forced to relocate to a trailer home and although Lacy pleaded to help, his mom insisted that he wait until he signed his second contract. So what do you think Lacy did once he got that second contract? He gifted his family a beautiful house.
Lacy posted photos of the home and his parents with the caption "thru God all things are possible." You have to show respect for both his mother and Lacy. She had the strength to wait for his second contract (which wasn't a sure thing) and Lacy went and worked hard for that contract so he could provide.
Packers' Safety Returns The Love
The Green Bay Packers have one of the best safeties in the game. His name is Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and he wanted to be a professional football player since the age of six. Clinton-Dix signed a contract worth $8.3 million with a $4.3 million signing bonus with the Green Bay Packers which made it easier to buy that home for his mom, Nicole Dix.
Less than a month after Clinton-Dix was drafted into the NFL, he purchased his mom a new home in Florida where he grew up. He told the Orlando Sentinel, "I teared up and she teared up. . . . It was just a great thing. Coming from Eatonville, it was just one thing I wanted to do for her was get her out of there and move her into a better place. To be able to hand her keys to a new house was an unbelievable thing for me."
The Big Back Surprises His Mom
Leonard Fornette was one of the most explosive and powerful running backs that college football had seen in a while. 22-year-old Fornette is a powerhouse, at 6'1" and 228 lbs. He was that huge in college too, just running people over in order to score. In April 2017, he was drafted number four overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars and a few weeks before Mother's Day, he gave his mom Lory something nice.
Fornette posted a video to Twitter that showed him giving her the gift of a brand new Mercedes. "Don't cry, love you," he says in the video. "Anything for my moms. From the trenches to this, love you momma #God100," he wrote on Twitter.
Fluker Does The Right Thing
Have you ever been forced to move from your home because of a natural disaster? It isn't fun nor easy and can also be heart crushing. When he was in high school, New Orleans native D.J. Fluker and his family moved to Mobile, Alabama as Hurricane Katrina hit. With nowhere else to go, Fluker stayed with his auntie. However, his aunt's husband wouldn't let him stay in the house, so he had to sleep in a cramped Chrysler parked outside. Then in college, his apartment was leveled by a tornado in Tuscaloosa.
However, in 2013 the guard was selected eleventh overall by the San Diego Chargers, and he bought a 3,000 square foot home for his mom and siblings in West Mobile, Alabama.
Amari Cooper Repays His Mom In The Best Way
Amari Cooper of the Oakland Raiders is the future of that franchise. He had one of the best rookie years for any Oakland receiver in history and keeps improving his skill set each year. His hard-working demeanor is a testament to what he experienced growing up and his mother deserves all of the credit.
Cooper recalls one time his mother asked him to walk to the store with her but he declined because he was too tired. She ended up walking three miles alone and when she came back home she had marks all on her arm from carrying the bags. "It was just an example of how hard she worked, her getting off work so late or working so hard already," Cooper said. "She sacrificed for us. You want to know how much somebody loves you, just look at how much they sacrifice." Buying his mom the car and house of her dreams was the least he could do.
He Kept His Promise From The Eighth Grade
After his highly successful rookie season in 2016, Karl Joseph of the Oakland Raiders celebrated by doing what he promised way back when he was in the eighth grade. That's when King promised his mom that he would buy her dream home for her.
"He comes from very humble beginnings," Joseph's agent, Chafie Fields, told TMZ Sports. "Ultimately, his goal was being able to provide for his mom. ... He didn't want to buy himself a car. Didn't want to buy himself a house. He wanted to get his mom a house." And that's exactly what he did.
Five-Year-Old Elliott Makes A Deal With His Mother
There's something about a young child who has the confidence to tell his mother he will be buying her a house and make it into the NFL when he grows up. Sure, they're just a kid and kids say the darndest things but when it becomes a reality then you have to commend them.
"He said, 'I'm going to play football momma," DeAndre Elliott's mom said. I'm going to go to the NFL, and I'm going to buy you a house. That's a deal; let's shake on it.' Here we are 20 years later, and he did it. He's actually living his dream."
He Used To Be Seen In A Different Light
Back in 2012, before the incident involving his fiance in an elevator, Ray Rice's career was already in question because he wasn't sure if he would remain a Baltimore Raven, or be traded to another NFL team. He was then given the franchise tag and subsequently ended up signing an incredible $40 million contract.
Feeling financially secure, he was able to do something wonderful for his mother, and buy her a home. One just has to stop and wonder what his mom thought about him after the night he was arrested for harming his fiance.
America's Running Back Gifts Parents
His performance on the field is immaculate but his off-field generosity could almost rival it. When Ezekiel Elliott was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys, he took his first earnings and bought his parents and two younger sisters a new home.
"It just feels really good to reward my mom," he told the Dallas Morning News. "Finally being able to do something for her for the first time feels really good."
Before He Was Hated, Vick Did A Good Thing
Before he was the man people love to hate because of his questionable actions, he was probably the most explosive player in the NFL to watch. Yes, we are talking about Mike Vick. The moment he left Virginia Tech and was drafted first overall by the Atlanta Falcons he kept good on his word to purchase his mom a home in upscale Suffolk, Virginia.
We are all aware of what happened a few years later. Vick filed for bankruptcy and couldn't afford payments on the house anymore so it had to go up for sale. It must have been a terrible feeling seeing that house slip between his fingers.
Kickin' It Old School
We're taking it back to 1994 with this one. Willie McGinest, a Super Bowl champion, was drafted fourth overall in the 94 draft by the New England Patriots. Remember, these were older times so what he gifted his parents with highly differs from some of the others on the list.
"I did several things for my parents," he said. "The Toyota Camry was the hot car off the lot at the time, so I bought that for my mom. Then, my parents didn't want to move out of the neighborhood where we grew up in, so I demolished the house and built a brand new one right there. After I took care of them, I bought myself a new truck."
The Mercedes Way
Heath Evans was drafted in the third round of the 2001 draft by the Seattle Seahawks. He didn't go all crazy and buy a bunch of jewelry and new cars. He shared his newfound wealth with his family and made good a promise with his sister. "The first thing I did was I bought my sister the Mercedes-Benz SUV that I'd always promised her," he said.
"Being in Seattle, I remember going to Daniel's Broiler about once a week. That was how I splurged." He also noted how he instantly gained respect around the city.
Making The Wife Comfortable
We know our parents are the ones who gave us life and raised us to be the great person we are today but we must not forget about the spouses that put up with our nonsense. David Carr was drafted number one overall in 2002 and used his money to bring comfort to his wife.
"We had already bought a beautiful home in Houston, but we had nothing in it," he said. "I remember eating pizza while sitting on the floor with my wife, so the first thing we did was buy a couch and a TV. Then we paid the house off."
LT Keeps It Casual
LaDainian Tomlinson is a Hall of Fame running back who was drafted by the Chargers in 2001. He is also the Chargers all-time leading rusher and just had some of the greatest skills you have ever seen a running back use. He was smart with his money but also took the time to pay his mother back.
"I bought my mom a house and a new ride," he said. "She wanted a Cadillac Escalade, so that's what she got. Other than that, I put my money in the bank and invested it.It's a great feeling to be set financially, but it's overwhelming because you get so many phone calls. You become the guy that everyone looks at to pay the bills or help with business ideas."
Nate Helps With The Bills
Some parents may have everything they want to be happy. The house they live in or the car they drive could already be enough to suffice. So that means some of these athletes wouldn't need to get their parents anything nice but it's always the thought that counts. Nate Burleson didn't get his parents the new home with acres, instead, he simply helped.
"I bought an Escalade, a fake watch and a fake chain -- in my mind, I thought no one is going to question if they were real because I was an NFL player -- and gave my parents money to help with bills," he said.
Eric Davis Keeps The Roof Over Their Head
Another player who took the route of getting something for their parents that was more of a need than a want was the second-round pick in the 1990 draft, Eric Davis. Davis didn't really spend too much on himself either, playing it smart. It's a good thing he got his parents what they needed when he did or perhaps he would have spent more.
"My parents wanted a new roof for their home, so I took care of that for them," he said. "I also bought a few sweatsuits and a gold Mickey Mouse watch."
Wallace Gillberry Was In A Giving Mood
Back in 2015, defensive end Wallace Gillberry felt like blessing a large family in a northern Kentucky Target. This type of thing doesn't happen often but when it does, it is always a great story. And these players don't keep it in the family, they perform these good deeds for all.
"With their five children in tow, Angelica Yeager and her husband were walking the store aisles when they encountered Wallace Gilberry, a defensive end for the Bengals. Gilberry stopped Yeager's husband and said, 'I want to bless you and your family tonight,'" Fox 19 reports (via BleacherReport). "He then bought the family a PlayStation 4 and a handful of games."
The Gift Of Surprise
The Washington Redskins has a set of running backs who are into making gains and making days. Rob Kelley and Keith Marshall were in a Gamestop when they just so happened to hear a story from a little boy who really wanted an Xbox for the past few years but couldn't get one because his parents couldn't afford it. His birthday was approaching so the running backs took matters into their own hands.
Marshall then asked Kelley: "You want to help him out and get it for him? "I've been in that place where I wanted something and couldn't have it," Kelley said. "So it felt good just to be in a position to spare two, three hundred dollars to help a kid out like it's not going to affect me no type of way. Why not? I understand what he's going through.
Deshaun Watson Just Keeps Giving
Making another humbling appearance is Texans QB Deshaun Watson. Earlier, we had reported how he gave his mom her first car once he got drafted but his kindness doesn't end there. The quarterback is as charitable as he is fit so he decided to help some unsung heroes who are assisting with hurricane Harvey.
We know the devastation that Harvey brought forth so Watson took his first game check and gave it to three cafeteria workers at NRG Stadium who were affected the storm. "If you can, you must," said Watson. Hopefully, he has a long career of kind deeds like this.
Robert Steeples Plans a Surprise Dream Wedding for Mom
Robert Steeples is on the Cowboys practice squad and has played for the Chiefs. But when he’s not at work as a defensive, he’s giving back to those who gave him life. Steeples surprised his parents with a gorgeous wedding in the summer of 2015.
In a beautiful Instagram post with his mother, the NFL star wrote, “parents eloped in 1989, but money was tight & kids were young, so a wedding never happened to commemorate that moment. …” So, to give them the wedding they always dreamed of, he tricked his mom into wearing an elegant dress for a “dinner.” But when his parents showed up, the entire family was there and it was actually a wedding ceremony for the couple.
Warrick Dunn Honors His Late Mother
Warrick Dunn always wanted to make his mother's biggest dream come true: to own a home. But when she passed away, the NFL star was devastated that he never got to make her dream a reality. Rather than let that get him down, Dunn decided to honor his late mother by giving back to families in need.
He launched the "Home for the Holidays" program to help provide homes for single-parent families. The charitable organization has now provided shelter for hundreds of families over the last 13 years and awarded more than $2.5 million in cash, good, and other donations.
Ryan Anderson Buys His Mom a House
Growing up poor in Alabama, life wasn’t always easy for Ryan Anderson. But that all changed after he was drafted into the NFL. Anderson snagged a five-year contract with the Redskins worth $5.3 million on top of a $2 million signing bonus. While lots of professional athletes splurge on fancy cars and jewelry once they get their first paycheck, Anderson’s first thought shifted to his mom.
The athlete purchased his mother a brand-new home, posting a picture of her new humble abode on Instagram, with the caption, “She held me down when I was broke I got her til infinity.”
Leftwich’s Mom Was Always There for Him
When Byron Leftwich was just five years old, he would tell his mom, “I’m going to buy you a house one day.” The NFL quarterback made good on his promise when he purchased his mother, Brenda, a peaceful home in Accokeek, Maryland in 2004.
Leftwich grew up in Washington D.C. and started playing football at an early age. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2003 and immediately knew he was one step closer to buying his mom her dream home. "And I know the only reason I'm where I am now is because of her,” he said. “The values she instilled in me as a little kid, the way she went about her life and set an example for me and my brother, the way she showed you how to carry yourself and act when situations got tough.”
Cromartie Bought His Mom a House...But Took It Back
New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie treated his mother to a brand new house in Tallahassee, Florida in November 2006. The athlete has just signed his first professional football contract and was eager to show appreciation for the woman who brought him into this world.
Unfortunately, things went sour in April 2012 after Cromartie failed to pay $105,381 in mortgage fees, which caused the Bank of New York to threaten the NFL player with foreclosure. Cromartie asked his mother to start paying $700 a month in mortgage fees, but she refused and Cromartie threatened to evict her.
Tyron Smith Almost Bought His Parents a House
Unfortunately, not all of these stories are heartwarming. In the case of Tyson Smith, his family took advantage of his generous character. Smith was the first offensive lineman selected in 2011 during the Cowboys draft. He went on to sign a $12.5 million contract at just 21 years old. But Smith soon found various family members asking for money.
After offering to buy his parents a house, Smith set a $300,000 budget—more than enough to purchase a nice home in his parent’s area. However, when his mother told him “we’ve found a house,” Smith was shocked to see the listing price was close to $1 million. Things only escalated from there, and the athlete’s relationship with his parents continues to be tumultuous.
Trent Richardson’s Financial Woes
Alabama running back Trent Richardson helped bring his college team to two national championships. So it was expected that he’d get signed with the pros. In 2012, Richardson signed a four-year deal with the Cleveland Browns. The deal was worth $20.5 million over the four years, with a $13.3 signing bonus included. The Pensacola-raised powerhouse, who was raised by his mom, immediately bought himself an $825,000 home, rented a place for his mother to live, and also purchased a $350,000 home for his grandma. In an ESPN interview, he said “I had a chance to make sure my mom never had to work again.”
Unfortunately, Richardson’s football career wasn’t as successful as he’d hoped, and his family burned through much of his wealth. After an overhaul of his finances, Richardson is back on his feet and plays for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.
Life Lessons From Bernie Kosar
Bernie Kosar is a retired NFL quarterback who played for the Cleveland Browns, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Miami Dolphins during his career. In 2017 he released an autobiography detailing the unique struggles facing young athletes who suddenly become wealthy. In the book, Learning To Scramble, Kosar wrote: “Ever since I was a kid, I have operated with what I would call a brainwashed Catholicism. You know: Honor thy father and thy mother and all those lessons taught in Catholic schools. As a result, I couldn't sleep at night knowing my family could use my money, so I gave boatloads of it away. I scrambled - to try to make them happy.”
This attitude, as we’ve seen many times in the NFL, led to Kosar’s financial downfall as his lavish gifts to family and friends wiped out his bank account.
Not Clowning Around
Jadeveon Clowney, who is currently an outside linebacker for the Houston Texans, has had to overcome a lot during his life. Clowney was raised by his mother and grandparents in Rock Hill, SC. His father was in jail for much of his childhood. Clowney’s mother worked long hours at the Frito-Lay plant in order to provide for her son.
So when he was signed to play for the Texans in 2014, in a four-year rookie contract worth $22,272,998, Clowney grew emotional. As he told reporters on the Texans website, “I want to buy my mom something nice -- whatever she wants. A house.” By the following year, he had done just that.
Andre Johnson Or Santa Clause?
One holiday season, wide receiver Andre Johnson was in the holiday spirit big time. Johnson was being charitable when he chose 12 kids to take as many toys as they could off the shelves of Toys R' Us. He gave all of them 80 seconds (for his jersey number) and the kids went to town.
“It just gives them a chance to go through the store and get whatever they want,” Johnson said. “They don’t have to ask nobody for it. Whatever they have on their Christmas list they can pick up. That’s the reason why I do it.”
His Offensive Line Is Family Too
In 2013, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson emptied out his pockets to keep his linemen happy for the holiday season. He was just showing appreciation for the people who help protect him from getting sacked by the defense. The more they like him, the more they will want to protect him right?
He ended up getting all of linemen Xbox Ones. And it wasn't cheap because he ended up spending roughly $11,000 dollars. "Spreading holiday cheer to all the guys that keep me whole on Sundays," he wrote on Instagram. No wonder they have been such a great team since Wilson's arrival.
Watt's Huge Hurricane Relief
Earlier it was mentioned that the defensive end for the Houston Texans, J.J. Watt, was able to do something for his mom that he had been waiting for his whole life to accomplish. Later in 2017, Watt also brought much relief for the victims of Hurricane Harvey in Houston, Texas. His contribution and efforts to raise money for the hurricane relief fund amounted to over $37 million.
On his YouCaring.com fundraising page, Watt wrote, "If there is one thing that I have taken away from these last few weeks, it is the reassurance of how much good is out there in our world. When times are the toughest, humanity stands at its strongest and you have all helped to prove that emphatically.''
Phillip Buchanon Bought His Mom A House And Gave Her $15,000
This may be one of the more bizarre mother-son relationships on our list. After he was drafted in the first round of the 2002 NFL draft, Phillip Buchanon's mom told him she was owed $1 million for raising him. Buchanon revealed that his mom joked about that sum of money in the past but this time she was being very serious.
Instead, Buchanon bought his mom a big home with the understanding that she would be responsible for its upkeep. The home ended up being too much for his mom so he offered to buy a smaller home listed under his name or give his mother $15,000 in cash. She decided to take the cash and the entire ordeal ended up hurting their relationship.
Cam Robinson Paid For His Mom's Range Rover
Joe Robbins/Getty Images
Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Cam Robinson showed his mom all kinds of love when he presented her with a mother's day gift nearly any mother would swoon over. He showed up at his mom's home and presented Priscilla Robinson with a brand new Range Rover! The rookie can definitely afford the vehicle after signing a four-year contract worth about $7 million including a signing bonus of around $3.2 million.
It was one of the largest purchases Robinson had made since the Jaguars picked him as the 34th overall choice in the 2017 NFL Draft. When you're an All-American selection who played for Alabama, it looks like the perks of your new NFL life quickly extend to the people who love you and raised you for 18 years.
Julio Jones Bought His Mom A House Before Buying His Own
When he signed his first NFL contract as the sixth overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2011 draft, Quntorris Lopez "Julio" Jones immediately went out and bought himself a Mercedes Benz. His next immediate thoughts then went to his mom. He actually didn't reveal the gift on social like many other players. In fact, it wasn't until six years after the fact that TMZ asked him about his first NFL purchase and he revealed his vehicle and the home he gifted his mom.
The former Roll Tide star quickly sought out his mother's dream home and he made sure she was very comfortable. Some good karma must have come his way for his generosity, he is still rated among the top wide receivers in the NFL after six years in the league. We need more standup guys like Julio showing what NFL players can really be made of both on and off the field.
Corey Coleman Bought His Mom The Best Birthday Present Ever!
Cleveland Browns receiver Corey Coleman was the 15th overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft and that earned him a four-year contract worth $11.6 million with a $6.6 million signing bonus.
What did he do with all of that new wealth? He immediately bought his mom her dream home — on her birthday. "Growing up I always believed that there was more to life than the circumstances that surrounded me," Coleman revealed to TMZ. "I told my mom, one day she could stop working the 2-3 jobs she worked to support my sisters and I, and I would buy her a house and take care of her." Raising a son to love and respect his family and this is what you get in return!
DeMarcus Walker Bought His Mom A House AND A Car
The Denver Broncos gave DeMarcus Walker a four-year deal worth just north of $5 million. He immediately turned around and made sure his good fortune would give his own mother a better life.
Right after receiving his first NFL check, Walker purchased a new home for his mom, Cynthia, and then he threw in a new car. Walker was asked about the gifts and he summed it up perfectly. "Just coming up from where I'm from, I've been through the struggle like every kind of athlete. But getting my mom out of the hood and getting her a car, that was the best thing I've done in my life because that woman sacrificed for my life and brought me to this world. Well played sir.
Darrius Heyward-Bey Gave His Mom A Job
Admittedly, a lot of the gifts we have shared were one-time presents offered to moms who may not see another big gift from their child. Wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, however, gave his mom something different — a job.
Heyward-Bey's mom is a certified public accountant who understands how to invest and save money. After earning around $30 million in four years with the Oakland Raiders, Darrius asked his mom to take over his finances. She sets an allowance for her son, sends him an email every Tuesday to check up on his spending, and in return, she has her son as a client. While most NFL players should be terrified of having their parents take over their finances, Heyward-Bey's mom is saving him a ton of money.
DeAngelo Williams Helped 53 Women In Memory Of His Mom
DeAngelo Williams lost his mom to breast cancer in 2014 and he immediately knew he wanted to do something that would honor her memory and hopefully prevent other women from suffering a similar fate.
Williams quickly came up with the idea to cover the full medical expenses for 53 women to have a mammogram test performed. “It’s not just about October for me; it’s not just a month, it’s a lifestyle,” Williams said during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. “It’s about getting women to recognize to get tested.” These guys might hit hard on the playing field but they have a soft spot when it comes to the women who raised them. In this photo, taken after his mom died, Williams was representing for the Metastatic Breast Cancer Alliance.
Cam Newtown Earned His College Degree For His Mom - While In The NFL
Just as Cam Newton was on the verge of signing a $100 million contract to become one of the richest men in NFL history, his mind was focused on something else completely. While other players were relaxing over the off-season, Newton was working on the college degree he never earned after leaving college for the NFL.
Newtown wanted to earn his bachelor's degree in Sociology from Auburn University for himself but also for his mom. When he left college for the NFL, he promised his mother, Jackie, that he would eventually finish his degree. Newton admits that while most people were talking about his future in the NFL, “My education was my mother’s top priority. I’ve been blessed to have a family that supports me."
Damon Harrison Scored Big On The Field And Rewarded His Mom
Damon Harrison entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent but was soon rewarded by the New York Jets to the tune of a four-year, $46.5 million contract with the giants. Part of that contract included a $24 million guaranteed payment.
Harrison approached his mom, Brunella Narcissem, and told her she was finally getting her dream house in Lake Charles, a city in southwestern Louisiana near the Texas border. “I went down there and surprised her,” Harrison said. “It was a house that she had wanted for a while and she cried, and my fiancee cried as well. Everybody was emotional in the house.” Harrison even admitted that the special moment made him cry as well. Harrison also revealed that 19 years earlier he started a competition with his brother to see who could take care of their mom — he won!
Leonard Fournette Spent $110,650 On His Mom's Gift
Before the ink even dried on his first NFL contract, Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette wasted no time buying his mom a brand new and very expensive vehicle. He ran out and purchased a white Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 63 S SUV for the woman who raised him and then surprised her with the gift.
When you're 22-years-old, a top draft pick in the NFL, and you're about to sign a contract that is going to make you a very wealthy man, this is one heck of a way to celebrate. It might not be a house but the Mercedes-Benz is priced like a home! Hopefully, Fournette doesn't go too crazy before his career really takes off — 80% of NFL retirees are broke by the time they leave the game.
Chris Johnson Bought His Mom A Range Rover — Just Because
When you're a highly-paid running back for the Arizona Cardinals you can make impulse buys, for example, buying a brand new Range Rover for your mom because she really wanted to own a new car. That was exactly what Chris Johnson did for his mom and she freaked out when he presented her with the gift.
When you have signed numerous multi-million dollar contracts in the NFL over the years you can afford to splurge on the woman who brought you into this world. She cared for and nurtured her son until that first NFL check was handed over and he thanked her in a very generous way. The starting price for a new Range Rover is $84.650.
Kelechi Osemele Fulfilled A Promise To Buy His Mom A House
Nigerian-born NFL player, Kelechi Osemele, made a promise to his mom at a young age. If he was ever to come into a bunch of money, he would make sure she was well taken care of. After signing with the Baltimore Ravens, he made good on that promise by buying his "mama" this beautiful home.
Osemele was so excited to give his mom the home that he took a photo and posted it on Twitter. His mom took care of him and three other siblings on their own when his dad moved back to Nigeria. If given the opportunity to sign a four-year NFL deal, most players seem more than happy to part with their hard earned money to take care of their mom.
Kelvin Beachum Fixed Up His Family Home
Kelvin Beachum has made million of dollars playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars and he's more than happy to give some of that back to the family that raised him. His parents searched for a new home outside of Waco, Texas, and their search was featured on HGTV's "Fixer Upper."
After learning that his family's $160,000 budget was going to limit their ability to fix up a home, he immediately offered an additional $100,000 to help them get settled into a new home. He asked the show's producers not to tell them about the surprise until the big reveal. “All I wanted to do was make my mother cry, and I think I did that in a couple instances,” Beachum said. “To me, that was the goal of me partnering and teaming up with Chip and Joanna.”
Kevin King's First Payout Went To His Parents
Kevin King was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft. His contract was worth a little over $7 million with about $5 million guaranteed. He'll be able to pocket about $3.7 million of that in 2017. That means he has more than enough to spend on his family. And so, he decided to buy his parents a house.
As you see in the picture above, King posted to Twitter the moment his mom arrived at the home. "You and pops always talked about that family house with the deck, they called my name at 33 and now I'm spending the check," he wrote.
An Epic Surprise
Running back Fred Jackson made his boyhood dreams come true in 2012. No, he didn't win a Super Bowl. What he did was buy his mother a house, something he had been wanting to do since he was 12-years-old. What made it even more special is how he surprised her.
"I told her we were actually going to hang out with one of my teammates who wanted to meet her," Jackson said during an interview on ESPN’s SportsCenter. "She walked in and she saw pictures of my kids [photos] on the wall and she was like, 'What is going on here? Why are there pictures of your kids on the wall?' And that’s how I told her. I told her, 'It’s your house.'"
The Best Birthday Gift
Running back Benny Cunningham of the Los Angeles Rams has a knack for breaking tackles and great kick returns. Off the field, his kindness shows. Cunningham bought his mother her first house in his home state of Tennessee and gifted it to her on her birthday.
“Growing up in the neighborhood I did. it was always my dream to get my mother out of that situation," Cunningham said. "So it was just a blessing to financially be able to do that. I’m glad she is able to experience having her own home for once in her life. I’m just thankful that I could do something like that for my mom."
The Long Battle For Watson
Deshaun Watson is a quarterback who led his Clemson team to a national championship in early 2017 against the vaunted Alabama. A few months later, he was drafted to the NFL and it appeared all of the struggles he had growing up were put to bed.
While raising Watson and his three brothers, his mother battled cancer. Their home was furnished by a former NFL player and the efforts of the Habitat for Humanity organization. When Watson was drafted in 2017 he bought his mom a new car (also her first car) and read an emotional speech written by his mom at the draft. "I wish you love, happiness, and longtime success. As I look back, we were not supposed to be here. In the words of Drake, we made it. Love, Mom."
