Touchdown tradition: DeAndre Hopkins honors blind mother with every score

DeAndre Hopkins, the Tennessee Titans’ wide receiver, has created one of the most heartwarming traditions in sports. Every time he scores a touchdown, he ensures the ball finds its way to his mother, Sabrina Greenlee, who has been blind for seventeen years.  This touching story traces back to a painful incident. In 2002, Greenlee lost her vision when a stranger threw acid at her in a jealous fit, blinding and disfiguring her.

At the time, she was a single mother of four, struggling to make ends meet in South Carolina, trapped in abusive relationships.  Over the years, Greenlee experienced intermittent sight recovery, but tragically lost her vision completely just as her son was rising to NFL stardom with the Houston Texans.

Every time the Tennessee Titans player DeAndre Hopkins’ scores a touchdown, he delivers the ball to his mom Sabrina Greenlee, who is blind.

It’s one of the best traditions in sports.

The whole story is heartbreaking.

Seventeen years. That’s how long it has been since she… pic.twitter.com/Swe1wBXWnm

— CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) November 4, 2023

A symbol beyond words

Now a Tennessee Titans player, DeAndre Hopkins has become one of the NFL’s most prominent stars, known for his incredible catches. His mother’s absence from the stands doesn’t deter him; instead, he turns every touchdown into a heartwarming gesture.

When Hopkins scores, his sister assists their mother in standing up and leaning over the barrier to receive the football. This emotional ritual serves as a reminder that even though Greenlee cannot see her son’s games, he still sees her and wants the world to recognize her too.

“That ball symbolizes so much more than people ever could understand”.

…⏳ https://t.co/dWFTDRPMMQ

— Deandre Hopkins (@DeAndreHopkins) October 30, 2023

A life worth a movie

Now, the remarkable story of Sabrina Greenlee, her resilience, and DeAndre’s devotion to her will be brought to the big screen. A feature-length film is in the works, with a director and screenwriter already selected.  The movie will chronicle the life of a young, single mother who was attacked, left for dead, and her extraordinary journey to change her life for herself and her four children.

Greenlee’s story is one of unwavering determination and serves as a testament that giving up is never an option.  DeAndres’ touching tradition and the upcoming film showcase the profound bond between a son and his mother, proving that love and resilience can triumph over adversity.