Tribute To the Mothers of the Oakland Raiders

Mother can stand for

M, mercy

O, optimism

T, trust

H, heart

E, extra and eternal love

R, respect and honor

I remember a mother, named Mrs. Julia who never gave up on her son.

When her son was young he was quiet and seemed shy. Her son would invite me to their warm and loving home, and then he would be too shy to sit by me, face to face in their living room.

When I met Mrs. Julia's son he asserted that he was going to be an outstanding football player. He was a very good football player although he started playing football in his junior and senior year in high school.

In college he was an outstanding player, and he went on to become one of the top Oakland Raiders in an earlier era of Raider history.

Mrs. Julia was not perfect. But who said you have to be perfect to be a mother.

One thing she did that was almost perfect was cooked up a pot of Louisiana gumbo that was delicious. The aroma of that gumbo would fill the home located in a clean and fragrant neighborhood in a small town in Texas.

Whenever you visited this former Oakland Raiders' mother's home, you felt the love and hospitality that folks from Texas and Louisiana know how to dish out.

You see, when you visit someone's mother in Texas or Lousiana, she insists on feeding you. You have to accept, otherwise it disappoints "Mama."

Mrs. Julia had several boys and one girl. Her son who became an Oakland Raider was the only one of her children who made the news and brought fame and a little fortune to the family.

Mrs. Julia's son is representative of so many young men who love their mothers. These men often win games for their mothers.

When these men get their bonuses, and contracts their mothers are on the top of the son's lists for showing love by giving money and provisions.

What makes teams like the Oakland Raiders so wonderful is that many of the players have a special love for their mother.

Many of the Oakland Raiders know how to not only say, "I love you, Mother" but they demonstrate that love by continuing to give support and counsel to their families, if the need arises.

So, Happy Mother's Day to the mothers of the Oakland Raiders and to the mothers of all sportsmen.

Mothers may not be perfect but since you, the NFL players and others are strong, well, and prosperous, remember that you got your start in a warm, strong womb of a mother.

You were fed and sheltered in a dark place in which your life was intimately connected with her life.

And so, once you were delivered, grew up and became your own man, it makes sense for you to reciprocate and provide the warmth, nurture, and love to the mother who did the same for you at an appointed time.

This wisdom and counsel applies to women in the world of sports, too.

I salute the mother of my associate who is but one example of a mother who showed love, mercy, grace, and trust like so many mothers of the Oakland Raiders.

This great mother named Mrs. Julia told me that her favorite verse is Psalm 71 .

Then, since the Psalm is long, I asked her what part of Psalm 71 and she answered on the telephone, "All of it." I never forgot that moment.

On this day, you might find time to read it and share it with your beloved mother, stepmother, grandmother or other.

Although the mothers may look different, feel different, and be at various levels in their lives on this day, May 9, 2010, one thing we must make clear.

There is a commonality.

Each mother carried each child.

Each child made it safely into this world.

So, each and every mother, no matter what her status may be, deserves to know that we respect and appreciate her on this Mother's Day 2010.

Go Raiders and Raider Nation! Say "Thanks" to Mother!