Jackson Free Press

This Sunday, many of us will take time to honor our mothers. Mother's Day is the one day every year when we try to thank mom for everything she has done and continues to do for us.

Thanking mom is one thing nearly every athlete does. Put a camera in front of a group of athletes on the sidelines and you're bound to hear, "Hi, Mom!" From many of them.

There is no question that for most athletes, mom is his or her greatest supporter. She might be in the stands or working insane hours at a job, but she gives her support either way.

When I played sports, my mother drove me to workouts and practice, she came to games to cheer me on, or she took care of my brothers and sisters so my dad could watch me play.

The best thing my mother gave me, though, was exactly what I needed when I needed it. She didn't give me what I wanted all the time, but she always gave me what I needed.

Once, after my team had lost every football game we had played for two straight years, my heart was broken over not winning even one game. I won't lie: One day I broke down and cried after I got home. I didn't want to play football anymore.

My mother comforted me, knowing I was hurting, but when I said I wanted to quit she didn't give me what I wanted. Instead, she gave me what I needed. She told me I could quit, but then asked me whether I could live with myself if I didn't play the next year.

I knew she was right. There was no way I could have looked back and said I made the right decision by not playing.

Mom gave me love and support but also gave me a kick in the butt when I needed one, so that I would pick myself up and soldier on and keep playing. This was not uncommon in my life: My mother gave me advice I needed and not what I wanted to hear.

The other day, I saw a YouTube clip of a Proctor and Gamble commercial for the upcoming Olympics. The words in one of last frames stuck with me: "The hardest job in the world is the best job in the world. Thank you, Mom."

There is no question that being a mom is a hard job. I salute all moms, past, present and future. I also want to thank my mom for making me the man I am today.

Thanks, Mom.

Follow Bryan Flynn at http://www.jfpsports.com, Facebook and @jfpsports.