LSU Football Players Celebrate Mother’s Day With Heartfelt Tributes, Emotional Messages, and Special Moments Honoring the Women Who Raised Them

Mother’s Day is always a special time of year, but for the LSU football program, this year’s celebration took on even deeper meaning. Across Baton Rouge and beyond, current LSU Tigers players took time out of their busy offseason schedules to show love, appreciation, and gratitude for the women who helped shape their lives — their moms. From personal letters to social media posts to in-person celebrations, these young men used the day to honor the sacrifices, strength, and unconditional love of their mothers.

LSU head coach Brian Kelly encouraged the team to reflect on the role their moms played in getting them to this point. In the locker room after practice last week, he spoke candidly about his own upbringing and how his mother instilled in him the values of resilience and humility. Players listened closely as Kelly reminded them that no matter how far they go in football or life, remembering who helped raise them was paramount.

For sophomore quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, Mother’s Day has always been a chance to reconnect emotionally. “My mom was there when I didn’t believe in myself,” he said in a video posted by the LSU football program. “She believed in me before I did. Every step I’ve taken, she’s been right there, praying for me, cheering for me, and keeping me grounded.” In the video, Nussmeier was seen surprising his mom with flowers and a handwritten letter, tears filling her eyes as she read the words her son had penned.

Star wide receiver Kyren Lacy also took a moment to thank his mother, not only with words but with action. He arranged for a private dinner at a favorite Baton Rouge restaurant and gifted her a framed jersey with a note inscribed: “This is your name, your sacrifices, and your strength — stitched into every thread.” Lacy, who was raised by a single mother, credits her for keeping him focused even when times were tough. “She skipped meals so I could eat,” he recalled. “She worked double shifts, never once complained, and always told me my dreams mattered.”

Many players went back home for the weekend to spend time with family. Defensive lineman Maason Smith traveled to Houma, Louisiana, to be with his mother, Monica. “Being with her on this day means everything,” Smith said. “We don’t always get a lot of time during the season, so when I do, I cherish it. My mom is the real MVP.”

Running back Kaleb Jackson wrote an Instagram post that went viral in Baton Rouge circles, sharing a photo of his mother holding him as a baby, along with a powerful caption: “She taught me how to run before I knew how to walk — not just on the field, but in life. Every touchdown I score, every first down I earn, that’s for her.” Jackson’s tribute was echoed by teammates who posted similar dedications on their platforms.

The LSU football team’s social media pages featured a compilation video highlighting dozens of players holding photos of their mothers, reading messages, or simply smiling alongside them. The video, titled “For Mom,” captured not just the emotion but the humility and heart of the Tigers off the field. Fans responded overwhelmingly with comments praising the maturity and class of the student-athletes.

Senior linebacker Greg Penn III, who has emerged as one of the team’s vocal leaders, organized a group of teammates to visit a local Baton Rouge community center, where they handed out flowers and cards to mothers and grandmothers. “It’s not just about our own moms,” Penn said. “There are mothers out there who are struggling, who’ve lost sons, who’ve sacrificed just as much. We wanted them to know they’re loved too.” The players signed every card themselves and made sure to spend time listening to stories and sharing hugs with the women they met.

Several LSU moms were honored during a special brunch hosted by the team on Saturday. The event, held at the team facility, included speeches by Coach Kelly, player representatives, and the wives of coaching staff. Each mom received a personalized note from their son, a bouquet of roses, and a framed photograph of them together. The most emotional moment of the event came when offensive lineman Emery Jones read aloud a poem he wrote for his mother. His voice cracked as he recalled the nights she stayed up with him after tough games, the prayers she whispered at every kickoff, and the sacrifices she made for him to chase his dreams. “I am who I am because of you,” he said, before embracing her in front of the team.

Even former LSU players got involved. Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver and LSU alum Ja’Marr Chase posted a throwback photo with his mother, thanking her for “being my first coach, my first fan, and my forever inspiration.” Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, another Tiger-turned-pro, shared a video of his mother proudly wearing his Super Bowl ring, captioned with: “This ring? It’s yours, Mom. Always has been.”

LSU’s strength and conditioning staff also played a part in making the day meaningful. They organized a custom workout challenge earlier in the week where players had to complete exercises named after traits associated with moms: “Patience Pushups,” “Resilience Rows,” and “Love Lunges.” The humorous but heartfelt twist reminded players of what they’re training for — not just for themselves, but for the people who helped raise them.

Several moms, in turn, used the opportunity to send messages of their own. The team’s media staff helped record a series of videos where mothers shared memories, advice, and encouragement. One mom said, “I remember when he was six years old, running around in the yard pretending to be an LSU Tiger. Now he really is one.” Another mom smiled through tears as she said, “No matter how big he gets, he’ll always be my baby.”

The emotion of the weekend wasn’t lost on the younger players, many of whom are just beginning their college journeys. Freshman cornerback Wallace Foster said he called his mom three times over the weekend. “I just needed to hear her voice,” he said. “Being away from home is hard. But knowing she’s proud of me makes every hard practice worth it.”

That sentiment was echoed by transfer linebacker Tyler Harrell, who joined LSU this offseason. “My mom told me to go where I’d grow, not just as a player but as a man. And that’s what I’ve found here,” he said. “This program encourages us to be more than athletes. We’re sons first.”

Coach Kelly made sure his staff followed suit. He asked every coach and support staff member to write or call their moms if they could. For those whose mothers had passed, he encouraged a moment of reflection and gratitude. “Mother’s Day is about honoring, remembering, and loving,” Kelly said. “It’s about recognizing where we come from and who helped guide us to where we are.”

The outpouring of love didn’t end on Sunday. Players were still posting, texting, and calling their mothers throughout the week. Tight end Mason Taylor surprised his mom with a visit home on Monday, saying, “One day isn’t enough to thank her for everything she’s done. I just wanted to hug her again before we get back to work.”

Perhaps what stood out most from the LSU football team’s Mother’s Day celebration wasn’t just the tributes or the gifts — it was the genuine emotion, the humility, and the recognition of the role these women have played in shaping future leaders, teammates, and men. For the Tigers, honoring their moms wasn’t a formality. It was a responsibility.

As the team heads into summer workouts and fall preparation, the echoes of Mother’s Day will remain with them — not just as a memory, but as a motivation. They’ll carry their mothers’ strength into every lift, every drill, and every snap. Because at LSU, playing for the Tigers also means playing for the women who made them who they are.