For Broncos wideout Demaryius Thomas, Monday’s visit to the White House meant more than just celebrating a Super Bowl victory with President Barak Obama. It was an opportunity to express his gratitude for Obama granting clemency in 2015 to Thomas' mother.
"We talked for a quick second. I told him 'Thank you for what you've done for my family,' for giving my mother clemency," Thomas said (via the team's website).
Thomas’ mother, Katina Smith, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2000 for cocaine distribution. She was granted clemency by Obama along with 46 other non-violent drug-related offenders last year, which led to her returning home two years before her scheduled release in 2017.