Image via Complex Original
You didn't forget, right? That's right kids, Sunday is Mother's Day 2011, and to celebrate, we're looking back at the illest sports moms to do it. Mothers that stand by their child no matter what controversy comes their way. Moms that never miss a game. Moms that tell their ballplaying sons to quit being soft, and, of course, moms that punch out valets at 4 in the morning. So here's a toast to all the moms out there who protect their child like a lioness protects a cub—and then some. Happy Mother's Day, with the Most Badass Moms in Sports!
Minna Wilson
Son: Tony Wilson (boxer)
This is something out of a Martin episode. Dude was in the midst of getting a vicious beat down when his moms jumped in the ring to bash his opponent, Steve McCarthy, with her shoe. The ref had to pull her off of the guy, which led to a disqualification. Bless her heart. #nobodyhitsmyboy
Suggested Mother's Day gift: Brass knuckles
Pierrette Lemieux
Son: Mario Lemieux (hockey legend)
Super Mario's mom is awesome. His parents built a hockey rink on the front lawn so Mario and his brothers could practice whenever they felt like it. She also packed snow on the living room floor until she got that ice rink gloss so her babies could practice after dark. Looks like it worked out. Mario's top 5 dead or alive and he owns the team he played for.
Suggested Mother's Day gift: Miniature Zamboni
Ann Iverson
Son: Allen Iverson (basketball legend)
Arguably the most thorough on this list, Mrs. I has stood by her son through thick and thin. She was always rocking the #3 jersey with elaborate Rag Shop signs to acknowledge her boy. Remember when A.I. kicked his baby mother out naked and later tried to barge in on her hideout strapped? Moms turned the tables and basically called her son's girl a two-bit hussy. Her son is not a criminal!
Suggested Mother's Day gift: Gift certificate to Michaels
Dorothy Jeter
Son: Derek Jeter (baseball legend)
It seems like this woman has been to every Yankee home game for the last 17 years. The camera crew always gets a shot of the Captain's proud parents in the crowd. Apparently they raised him right too. All he does is win, on the field and off, and Jeter's never been caught out there, even though he's bagged every girl you wish you could. Real bad boys move in silence, just how their mamas taught 'em!
Suggested Mother's Day gift: A house as big as the one DJ just built in Tampa
Kultida Woods
Son: Tiger Woods (golf legend)
She stood by her boy when he got caught with his hand in several skanky cookie jars — even after that train wreck of a "presser." Tiger went through some shit in '09 that he's still recovering from. Clearly, Eldrick needed guidance after his father passed, and Mom played both roles. We envision a comeback and a hug after the 18th hole to end all victory hugs.
Suggested Mother's Day gift: A Bentley
Flo Allen-Hopson
Son: Ray Allen (basketball legend)
Ray-Ray's moms is cool as hell. She cheers for her boy but doesn't make a fool of herself. Flo ran the Boston Marathon last year in her diabetic grandson's name, and started "Ray's $3 for 3's" program for the Joslin Diabetes Center. And when Jesus proclaimed: "Chicks dig 3s." Flo said: "You're darn right chicks dig threes, how can you not? It's such a great shot. I love them. I can't get enough threes, especially when my Ray is taking them." You gotta let 'em know Flo, you gotta, gotta let 'em know, Flo.
Suggested Mother's Day gift: An even bigger platform for her causes
Tatyana Ovechkin
Son: Alexander Ovechkin (hockey star)
Ovie's moms is a 2-time gold medalist and a master barber. After Ovie went 6 games without a goal in 2010, he decided he needed a new haircut and momdukes delivered. The next game he scored two goals. Tatyana also came at NHL Commish Gary Bettman's neck, saying: "How can Bettman not let them play? Doesn’t he understand what Olympics are? Let him read books. Let him study history. They stopped wars in ancient Greece for the Olympics. Wars. And he can’t stop his league for two weeks? This is nonsense.” Mother knows best.
Suggested Mother's Day gift: Vintage barber chair
Pamela McGee
Son: Javale McGee (NBA player)
A former WNBA player, Ms. McGee and Javale have become the first mother/son combo in WNBA/NBA history and she is one cool ass mom. Not only did she teach her son how to ball, but she's rumored to have bought liquor for his teammate Nick Young when he wasn't quite of age. And at the dunk contest she kissed Dr. J to get that extra 10 for her baby!
Suggested Mother's Day gift: Superbad DVD.
Peggy Lindsay
Grandson: Dallas Braden (MLB pitcher)
To say Dallas Braden has had a rough life would be an understatement. He grew up poor, was involved in crime, and lost his mother to cancer when he was a senior in high school. Peggy, his grandmother, raised him into a major league pitcher. Last year against the Rays, she received one of the best Mother's Day gifts of all time: her grandson pitched a perfect game.
She also has some fight for an older gal. After the perfect game, in reference to A-Rod's comments about stepping on Dallas' mound the week before, she told the Yankee third baseman to "Stick it."
Suggested Mother's Day gift: Alex Rodriguez Dart Board.
Debra Crocker
Son: Dave Tollefson (NFL player, pictured above)
This woman is badass. After her son, a backup DE for the GMen, was injured during a game, she went to the locker room to son her son. The convo went something like this:
"Tape it up! I didn't fly here from California to watch you ride the pines!"
"Mom, I'm hurt."
"I don't give a fuck. Get it taped up and get the hell in there! I don't want to hear this."
Now that's tough love. Rub some 'tussin on it and get out there!
Suggested Mother's Day gift: A gallon of Jack Daniels.
Gloria James
Son: LeBron James (basketball legend)
Gloria James has been all over the news as of late for smacking the bejesus out of a valet. Moms don't play. When LeBron got knocked into the crowd by Paul Pierce during the '08 Playoffs she came rushing to his defense, and when he declared for the NBA draft straight out of high school, she copped him a Hummer.
Suggested Mother's Day gift: Baby Powder. Pimpin' since been pimpin', since been pimpin'!