NASHVILLE – Titans rookie defensive lineman T'Vondre Sweat is a self-proclaimed "mama's boy."
And, for good reason.
Sweat said his mom has sacrificed a lot for him over the years, regularly working three jobs to make ends meet so her three sons could be more comfortable. There were times, Sweat said, when she didn't eat, just so her young boys could.
"Without my mom," Sweat said, "I wouldn't be here today. I can't say in words how much I appreciate her."
Sweat offered his mother, Lashunda Ross, more proof on Friday.
He surprised her with her "dream house."
It all unfolded this morning in Houston, when Ross was handed flowers as she walked into the house her youngest son bought for her.
She then watched a video with this message:
"I just want to thank you a lot for all you have done for me," Sweat, wearing a Titans shirt, said from Nashville, where he's in the middle of training camp. "I can't be more thankful for a mom like you. Everyone in the world already knows you're special to me. I just want to say: I love you, I love you, I love you. I want to thank you for everything you've done for me since I was a little kid with my other two brothers."
And…
"Mom, I just want to say: I finally got the house you wanted. Dreams do come true. I can't appreciate you more. And, I hope you love your new home."
Sweat beamed with pride the day before, when he talked about his mother, and the opportunity he was getting to purchase her a home in Houston, Texas.
Sweat said his mom had been living in an apartment, but they began looking for homes for her in recent months, after he signed his rookie contract.
Growing up, Sweat said the family didn't have things easy. There was a point when his mom, himself, and his two brothers had to move into his aunt's apartment.
"There were six kids in one apartment," Sweat recalled. "And that's hard."
Lashunda Ross worked at a hospital, at a Foot Locker, and at other jobs to make ends meet.
Through it all, she attended all of Sweat's games, from his Pop Warner days to his high school playing days to his years at the University of Texas.
"She's always been my No.1 fan," Sweat said of his mom. "She's always been by my side."
Now, she has a new home, thanks to her youngest son, the baby of the family.
Sweat, selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, said he's thankful for having the chance to repay his mom for all she's done.
"I have to say, I appreciate the Titans, Miss Amy, Ran Carthon and everyone for believing in me and helping me with this opportunity. Without them believing in me, I wouldn't have the opportunity to help my mom like this," Sweat said.
"My mom, she's special. I love her to death, and I respect her so much. She's a very, very, very strong woman, and she's sacrificed so much. I can't say in words how much I appreciate my mom being in my life, so I'm happy I can do this for her. And, for all the guys out there: Love your moms, man, because you only get one."
