Houston Texans wideout DeAndre Hopkins is one of the most electric players in the NFL. As he gave his mother Sabrina Greenlee his most recent touchdown ball, he touched millions of hearts.
The Houston Texans star wide receiver’s mom has never seen him play in the NFL, even though she attends nearly every game. Sabrina Greenlee raised Hopkins on her own, after his father passed when he was only five months old.
In July of 2002, her life changed drastically.
When Hopkins was just 12, then 24-year-old Savannah Grant threw a mix of boiling lye and bleach on Greenlee. Her boyfriend was having an affair with Grant. The attack resulted in the skin rapidly peeling off her neck, face, and back.
Her boyfriend dropped her off at a nearby gas station.
❤️ @DeAndreHopkins's mother Sabrina Greenlee lost her sight 17 years ago. She goes to every @HoustonTexans home game and cheers on her son from the same endzone seat. “He doesn't care that I can't see,” she told @espn about her son. “He just wants me there.” 📹: @NFL pic.twitter.com/Vkogcwxsm2
— ONE37pm (@137pm) November 23, 2019
The gas station attendant called 911, and Greenlee was rushed to a hospital. She was later flown to Augusta, Georgia, where she was placed in a medically induced coma for three weeks.
Hopkins says his success is in part due to her. His mother held two jobs throughout his childhood and worked at an automotive factory.
That’s why it was so miraculous and heartwarming for millions of Americans and viewers throughout the world as Hopkins delivered the ball he had just scored with to his mother in the stands.
Sabrina Greenlee, sits in the same spot in the end zone
Close enough to hear the ball smack against the turf
She can't see her son, but she knows he's there
She lost her vision 17 years ago in an acid attack@DeAndreHopkins gives his mum the 🏈 after every touchdown ❤️ pic.twitter.com/GLpR3CeWOZ
— NFL UK (@NFLUK) November 22, 2019
This article is comprised of information and media from the AP, espn.com, and thespun.com. For more sports, news and entertainment, follow the Midwest Sports Network on Twitter @MWSNsports or like the MWSN page on Facebook.
