If you’ve been following the 2021 NFL draft, chances are you’ve heard the remarkable story about former Michigan pass rusher Kwity Paye and his improbable journey to the NFL and his special relationship with his mother.
Paye’s mother Agnes fought her way out of a war-torn Liberia and emigrated to the United States with the hope of giving her sons a better life. The Paye family struggled to survive, and Agnes sometimes had to work three jobs to take care of Kwity and his older brother, Komotay Koffie.
Kwity overcame that adversity to become a star on the football field in high school before earning a scholarship to Michigan, where he established himself as a monster of a pass rusher.
Paye was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts with the 21st overall pick in the NFL draft, a dream come true for both Paye and his mother. When Paye was being interviewed by ESPN after his selection, he was asked about how being drafted into the NFL will change his and his family’s lives.
“For my family, she’s done working and she’s retired,” Paye said about his mother as his surrounding family cheered and cried tears of joy.
One of the amazing things newly-drafted players look forward to doing once they’ve made it to the NFL is taking care of their family, whether that’s buying a new car, a new house or something else. For Paye, he plans on taking care of everything for his mother. Just as she’s done for him throughout his life.
Take a look at Paye’s complete journey to the NFL, which culminated with his first-round selection and celebration with family.
After he was drafted by the Colts, Kwity Paye said his mom was "done working and she's retired."
From West Africa to the NFL, this is the story of how @OfficialKwity honors his mother for all the sacrifices she made so her children could have a better life. pic.twitter.com/vqVhnwDDIB
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 2, 2021
