What a difference two years makes for Denver wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, and more important, for his mother, Katina Smith.
After he set a Super Bowl record with 13 receptions in February 2014, he spoke to her over the phone while she was serving 20 years on conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base in federal prison in Tallahassee, Florida.
Smith was since pardoned by President Barack Obama and will see her son play in the NFL for the second time when the Broncos face the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 on Sunday at Levi Stadium.
“I’m just excited about the situation with it being the Super Bowl and I’m excited that she’s going to be able to make it,” Thomas said.
He recalled their conversation after the Broncos were pummeled 43-8 by Seattle in East Rutherford, N.J.
“She said keep your head up, you’ll get another chance,” Thomas said. “I’ve got another chance right now. I just have to take advantage of it.”
At that point, Thomas was dealing with his mother’s reality in prison for her role in small-time drug operation that was run by her mother, Minnie Thomas.
She was released in November after Obama pardoned her and 45 other similarly situated drug offenders, whose prison time, he deemed, didn’t fit the crimes in the aftermath of the war of drugs and federally mandated sentencing guidelines. She had to stay in a halfway for 60 days and is adjusting to civilian life.
Smith took her second plane ride to Denver to see Thomas play against Pittsburgh in the divisional round of the playoffs.
“I never thought she’d be able to come see me play in the Super Bowl,” Thomas said. “It seems like it was a lot easier to get to the Super Bowl.”
Thomas remembers his time as youth with his mother before she went to prison, fondly. He was 11 when she was convicted. He and two younger sisters were raised by an aunt and uncle.
“It was like back in the day, we competed against each other all the time,” Thomas said. “Whether we were racing or playing basketball, we always competed. She was always competitive.”
Smith is adjusting to life out of prison. There was the trip to find the since-closed Blockbuster video store. Also, the time when she looked for her tape deck in the new car that Thomas purchased for her.
But overall, she’s adjusting well. Smith is cordial enough with Brandon Thomas, Demariyus’ father, and will travel to the game with him.
“She’s good,” Thomas said. “She’ll be flying with my dad. She flew out to Denver with him last time. She’ll be all right.”
Thomas acknowledges that there has been some emotional scarring that needs healing. Once his mother apologized for what she did and explained her role to Thomas, that lifted a heavy burden off his heart.
He said there were “tears” and that he forgave his mother.
Now, they are working their way back to a mother-and-son relationship.
“The biggest thing was not being able to see her when she got out,” Thomas said. “She couldn’t travel for 60 days. She was in a halfway house after doing 16 years. That was the biggest thing.”
Thomas now has a better understanding of his mother’s plight. He went from being a bitter child to growing as a young adult while playing at Georgia Tech to full-grown manhood.
At first, he was bitter with his mother. He visited her for the first time in 2003. As he grew older and the visits started to mount, he reached a better understanding.
“The first couple of times were really emotional,” Thomas said.
Thomas hopes that he can turn in another big performance in the Super Bowl. However, he’d like for the team to get the win this time.
“I always wish that she was around to see me play and stuff,” Thomas said. “The good thing about it is that she always gave me a call before I played and after I played. Now, to have her out, it’s even better. To have her at games, I don’t have to think no more and wish she was at the game. Now, I can go out and know that she’s in the stands and play ball.”
Smith enjoyed her visit and plane ride to the last game.
“She had a ball,” Thomas said. “She was excited. She was still talking about it last week and how excited that she was and how excited that she is about coming to this game. She was excited to meet some of the players. She’s glad to be home.”
About the Author
