NFL Draft prospects agree on who inspires them to greatness: ‘My mom, definitely'

Before he became the winningest coach in NFL history, long before he even became a coach, Don Shula first had to become a football player. And play, young Don did, which was news to his mother.

The only way Don got on the field was by forging her signature.

Members of this year’s NFL Draft class tell a different story, not only suiting up with their mothers’ blessing, but inspired by them in ways large and small. Inspired by their sacrifices. Inspired by their encouragement. And, sadly in some cases, inspired by their memory.

“My mom, definitely,” said Nathan Thomas, an offensive lineman at Louisiana-Lafayette, said when asked who inspired him to get where he is today.

More:How to follow NFL draft on TV, radio, mobile, plus full guide to Miami Dolphins' picks

Ohio State lineman Mike Hall would second that, recalling how his mother used to get by on $20,000 a year.

Missouri cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr.’s mother gave birth to him three days before she turned 16. Look where they are now, together.

Clemson's Jeremiah Trotter shared NFL ‘dream' with mom

Clemson linebacker Jeremiah Trotter undoubtedly will reflect on his mother, Tammi, when he hears his name called during the draft. Tammi Trotter died of breast cancer in February.

“While this was my dream, this was also her dream as well,” he said.

Brenden Rice shared his dream, too. Rice was a receiver as Southern California who grew up watching the 49ers. He would watch the NFL Combine simply knowing that one day, that would be him up there.

“Then last year I went ahead and texted my mom: ‘We’re almost there. Next year we’ll be here,’ ” he said.

Interesting that Brenden texted his mother. His father is Jerry — Jerry Rice.

Texas A&M guard Layden Robinson started playing football around age 6. He didn’t have to forge any signatures because his mother was the one who took him to the field.

It nearly was a short-lived career.

“My mom took me out there and she was told, ‘Hold your money just to see if he likes to play,’ ” Robinson said. “It was flag at first and so they weren’t passing me the ball. I just didn’t understand and I was just like, ‘I’m not playing.’ ”

About a year later, a coach asked Mom why Layden wasn’t playing. She explained he didn’t like it. When he asked if he could spend an hour with Layden, she agreed.

“She said I came back with chicken nuggets and fries and I said that I was playing football,” he said. “That’s where it all started. It was a heck of a journey.”

Help yourself to another slice, Jim Harbaugh

Food, moms and football. Linebacker Mike Barrett has a story how it all came together for him. Just not a story you'd expect. He became an NFL prospect at Michigan, but he may never have become a Wolverine if not for his mom’s choice of takeout one night. That and then-coach Jim Harbaugh’s massive appetite.

“My mom had bought pizza,” Barrett said. “I think it was like three boxes that we had. He ate an entire box while he was there: ‘I’ve been flying all over the place. I was kind of hungry.’ ”

Who can resist the endearing qualities of a famous football coach making himself at home in your dining room and polishing off an entire pizza without assistance?

“Just the type of guy he is, the man he is,” Barrett said. “He’s down to earth.”

Thomas, the lineman from Lafayette, which also produced former Dolphins guard Rob Hunt, recalls coming home from his prom one night to find his mother waiting for him. Thomas was transitioning from tight end to lineman and needed to be coached up. Even then.

“I came home from prom and my mom was like, ‘Hey, use your hands. Push People around. This is not tight end anymore. You’re not out there running routes and catching balls anymore,’ ” Thomas said.

This is no family with weak women. Not even close.

“Also both of my aunts,” he said. “They say some crazy stuff that I’m not going to say, but they told me to get after it.

“So I’ve been doing that ever since.”

Rakestraw had a strong woman by his side his whole life. His mother gave birth at such a young age, she often heard doubts about their future.

“A lot of people talked down to my mom,” he said. “My recruitment didn’t blow up until my senior year, so a lot of people doubted me as a player. I put them two together and made something positive.”

Rakestraw said his mother stuck by his side at a critical moment. He had committed to Alabama and was ready to sign when he told his mother something didn’t feel right. He wanted to switch to Missouri, which issued the first Power 5 offer he received.

She asked why. He said he wanted to be part of a program that needed a lift rather than one already established.

“My mom didn’t say I was crazy because my parents let me make my own decisions,” he said.

Result?

“I think in my four years, my senior year, we finally got it done,” he said.

In their own way, each of these players did. That's how they became NFL draft prospects.

That's how they made their mothers proud.

Dolphins reporter Hal Habib can be reached at hhabib@pbpost.com. Follow him on social media @gunnerhal. Click here to subscribe.