You gotta give it up for the moms of the world, especially on Mother's Day. Who else was there for you right at the beginning, right?
For many athletes, showing appreciation to their mothers is as important as anything else in their lives -- take Kevin Durant's "real MVP" speech to his mother, or DeAndre Hopkins giving his blind mother the ball after every touchdown, just as an example.
It's a relationship that has persisted through years of sacrifice and love, and the end result has been rewarding for all involved. Plenty of athletes gave a shoutout to their mothers on Mother's Day, and we've got some classic mom tributes, as well as tributes to athletes who are themselves mothers.
After defeating Sloane Stephens at the US Open, Serena Williams happily waves back to her daughter, Olympia, in the stands, who recognizes her mother on the court.
New Colts pass rusher Kwity Paye telling his mother that she's done working and will be retiring is an amazing moment π pic.twitter.com/Bti1MHWBmn
β Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 30, 2021
Karl-Anthony Towns shared an emotional moment on Mother's Day with his dad, Karl Sr. π
β ESPN (@espn) May 9, 2021
KAT's mother, Jacqueline, died due to complications from COVID-19 in 2020. pic.twitter.com/yyK5jq33J6
An incredibly touching and emotional moment as @JalenRose pays tribute to his late mother on NBA Countdown β€οΈ pic.twitter.com/cL7d0I2UkX
β ESPN (@espn) May 9, 2021
Mom! I Love You so much!
β Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) May 9, 2021
Thank you for always guiding me. Loving me. Caring for me. Challenging me. Most importantly... Praying for me!
We all love you so much! HAPPY MOTHERS DAY MOM! β€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈ#mothersday pic.twitter.com/KslXdMhVur
Happy Mother's Day to my most beautiful mommas!! π₯°β₯οΈ pic.twitter.com/bBXNnLnZRW
β Mark Ingram II (@markingram21) May 9, 2021
#HappyMothersDay to our moms - Dee, Penny, Annie, Sky, Bria, Sandy, Julie - and all of the incredible moms out there! ππ§‘ pic.twitter.com/UoaM7DhDxz
β Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) May 9, 2021
My favorite title. β€οΈ #HappyMothersDay pic.twitter.com/i7XvOmzMWk
β Bria Hartley (@Breezyyy14) May 9, 2021
Life doesn't come with a manual. It comes with a mother.
β Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) May 9, 2021
Happy Mother's Day to my mothers and to all the mothers.
β Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) May 9, 2021
Jamie Morant π€ love you momma pic.twitter.com/twPDhJgapR
β Ja Morant (@JaMorant) May 9, 2021
A very special shoutout to all the moms!
β Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) May 9, 2021
We love you, today's your day πβ€οΈ pic.twitter.com/bllb5JcvCv
A Modern Mother's Day Story with Sami and Kate.
β New York Liberty (@nyliberty) May 9, 2021
( @SamBam32 ) pic.twitter.com/kKIynEAF57
Happy Mother's Day! β€οΈ pic.twitter.com/wAT3QBfp6b
β Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) May 9, 2021
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! No disrespect to all the amazing mothers out there...but my momma is the best one. Beyond thankful for your presence and support through it all. You're my heart. I got you forever and can't wait to enjoy all the fruits of our labor forever! @aya11763 π pic.twitter.com/bzVrbRFKWq
β Marcus Stroman (@STR0) May 9, 2021
Happy Mother's Day to my Mama. A nice 50 piece for you! I appreciate you putting the ball in my hands. I love you πππ½ #Ma #RealMVP #Shetaughtme #bestparentsever https://t.co/FVuh7XZwUx
β Bradley Beal (@RealDealBeal23) May 9, 2021
We wouldn't be here without our Mommasβ€οΈ A special s/o to my Mom C.D.Y.β€οΈ & All the Moms out thereβ€οΈπ€π½
β Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) May 9, 2021
Hug em tightπ₯°
We're nothing without our moms β€οΈ pic.twitter.com/7iqD8YCSXQ
β Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) May 9, 2021
To all the supportive moms and mother figures in our lives: Thank you for always cheering us on. We love you! ππ pic.twitter.com/pivtHNVvFd
β Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) May 9, 2021
Happy Mother's Day to all the amazing moms out there.
β Enes Kanter (@EnesKanter) May 9, 2021
I can't believe it's been 7 years that last time I saw her.
I don't even have a pic of her to look at it.
All that I am, or ever hope to be,
I owe to you.
To the world, you are mother, to me you are the world
Love you mom β€οΈ