It happens time and again. The television broadcast will zoom in on players along the sideline when the action is stopped and one will turn to the camera and say two little words that mean so much: "Hi mom!"
It's always nice to get some recognition, which is exactly why moms everywhere have a special day of their own on Sunday, May 10.
It's not very often that mothers have the chance to see their sons continue playing a sport they love at the highest level, but Professional Football Players Mothers' Association members Ann Cockell, Sandra Moore and Alyce Pipkin-Allen were given this opportunity. And although Cockell's son, Thurman Thomas; Moore's son, Mewelde; and Pipkin-Allen's son, Eric Allen, may have been on-field menaces to opposing teams, they have always had a soft spot for their moms.
"Thurman always knew where I was in the stands, and I would always give him a thumbs up or a kiss," Cockell said of her son during his playing days as a star running back with the Buffalo Bills during the 1990s. "Young men enjoy their moms being there, and I think moms should know the sport their sons are participating in. Kids always love support."
And to show his appreciation for his mom for all the support she had provided through the years, Eric had a surprise up his sleeve on the first Mother's Day he spent away as a freshman at Arizona State University.
"It was the first Mother's Day that he had ever been away from home, and it was kind of sad for me," Pipkin-Allen said. "I talked to him that morning and we talked about that. He has an older brother named Craig and he said, 'Mom I have a great surprise for you because I know you're kind of sad.'
"So he walked over to the door and he said, 'Just a minute, I forgot something.' And then he opened the door and Eric was there."
Pipkin-Allen said it has remained her favorite Mother's Day memory and it even brings a tear to her eye when she speaks about it. Since Eric's days at ASU, she has been able to spend the second Sunday of May with her son comforted by knowing that he had accomplished his dream.
"There's no one feeling, it's exhilarating, frightening, thrilling and exciting," said Pipkin-Allen of watching her son play 14 seasons in the NFL with the Eagles, Saints and Raiders. "It's like falling in love. You kind of can't explain it - so it's no one feeling - but I always knew that he was going to try his best and eventually I knew that his best was excellent."
Moore's son has only been playing professionally for five seasons, but this Mother's Day she'll have something else to be proud of as she looks back at the past year - Mewelde and the Pittsburgh Steelers were able to take home their league-leading sixth NFL championship in Super Bowl XLIII this February.
"It was a rewarding game and through the efforts of the team and the playing of each individual giving their all, I think the team really gelled this year," Moore said. "I just thought that it was beautiful because that was his first year with the Steelers, and he had worked so hard and he was given the opportunity."
And when the game ended and the Steelers had won 27-23 against a resilient Arizona Cardinals squad, Moore really let her emotions show.
"I'm not that tall, but if you could have seen how high I jumped, that was how excited I was and it was just amazing to see such a game."
As his mother, Moore also said it makes her feel proud to see the way Mewelde carries himself on the field and that it's important for mothers to be as much a part of their children's youth sports experiences as possible.
"Children show the type of love and support they receive from their families, and a lot of times if you're not there, it'll cause them to be withdrawn or not as productive," Moore said. "When we support and are there for them, it encourages them to be their best."
When looking back at Eric's football experience, Pipkin-Allen said she is grateful for the opportunities it provided her child and is also excited about the way the game is improving for today's youth.
"They meet so many different people - people who live outside of their area and their neighborhood school - and that's very important," Pipkin-Allen said. "I'm so happy that USA Football is teaching the coaches how to coach because back when we were involved, just about anybody could come and be a coach and we didn't know their background or attitude.
"With USA Football that's a tremendous improvement for the kids coming up today, and they'll be able to enjoy the sport even more."
And sometimes the fun continues even after a career has ended. Thomas retired as the NFL's ninth ranked rusher with 12,074 yards and added another 4,458 yards on 472 catches. He also scored 65 rushing and 23 receiving touchdowns in his 13-season career. Thomas was recognized for his efforts by being named to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1990s, but Cockell said there's something else that will always stand out.
"The greatest one was him getting into the Hall of Fame," she said. "That was the crowning glory of his career, and that was the greatest accomplishment that Thurman could ever have.
"I can still remember him getting his coat and getting his ring. I can still visualize it in my mind."
And long after their son's playing days are over, these three will always have their favorite memories to remind them of how special it is to be a mom.
