Annie Mae Smith, mother of NBA legend and TNT analyst Kenny Smith, sadly passed away yesterday at the age of 79.
His on-air partner Ernie Johnson called to express his condolences, and ask a very specific question.
“When Kenny and I spoke today, I asked him what he would want everybody to know about his mom. He paused and said he wanted to write a few things down, and he’d get back to me. Here’s what he wrote:
“I love my mom because, first and foremost, she introduced religion and the power of prayer in my life. There’s absolutely nothing that’s happened in my life – nothing – that we didn’t pray about. Growing up I talked to her everyday, sometimes short, sometimes long, I guess you could say I’m a momma’s boy. LOL. Her unconditional belief in me always gave me confidence. You want to be class president? You can. Want to make A’s in school? You should, you have all the tools. NBA? No problem. She was every event, every game, and every moment. More importantly, on her passing, she made me feel alive. Our talks made me excited and grateful, and want to conquer and move forward. I will always keep that and promise to stay alive and give that to my wonderful wife and children, relatives and friends, in her honor. I hope when I’m around you, or anyone from this point on, I make them feel the same way we she made me feel everyday: alive. Thank you, mom.”
What a wonderful testimony of a loving parent. These are the sorts of things all parents hope and pray our children will say about them. Beautiful.
WATCH:
Ernie Johnson reads Kenny Smith;s letter about his mother who passed away today pic.twitter.com/WqwFNAPypp
— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) April 27, 2017
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