When Thomas was 11 years old, his mother and grandmother were arrested for running a drug ring in Georgia. Fast forward 16 years, Smith was on-hand sporting a custom No. 88 jersey with “Bay Bay’s Mama” — Thomas’ childhood nickname — written on the back.
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Smith was released from a halfway house back in November, but wasn’t able to travel to see her son play in person. But she’s in Denver now — just in time to see the top-seeded Broncos take on the Steelers in the AFC division round.
At the end of the game, as the Broncos sealed a 23-16 victory, Peyton Manning handed Thomas the game ball to give it to his mom. It was a special night for Thomas and his family.
Smith was originally convicted of drug trafficking in 2000 and, after serving 15 years in prison, she was one of 46 nonviolent drug offenders whose sentences were commuted by President Barack Obama back in July.
