When you think of Demaryius Thomas and the Denver Broncos, one play instantly comes to mind: that unforgettable 80-yard touchdown in overtime against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the January 2012 AFC Wild Card game. Tim Tebow hit him on a slant, DT stiff-armed Ike Taylor, and then it was a foot race to the end zone that was never in doubt. It remains one of the most thrilling victories in NFL history.

But for Thomas, greatness was never a one-hit wonder. Drafted 22nd overall out of Georgia Tech in 2010, his nine seasons with the Broncos were packed with highlights. From his rookie debut against the Seattle Seahawks—where he hauled in eight catches for 97 yards and a 21-yard touchdown—to catching Peyton Manning's record-setting 509th touchdown pass in 2014, DT consistently delivered when it mattered most.

Now, another one of his iconic moments is getting the spotlight it deserves. This Sunday on Mother's Day, ESPN's year-long series "I Scored a Touchdown" will feature the touchdown Thomas scored in Super Bowl 48—the Broncos' only score of that game. The series, which highlights 61 of the 240 players who have scored in Super Bowl history, will air on Sportscenter as part of the buildup to Super Bowl LXI.

What makes this episode truly special is the focus on the woman who shaped DT's life: his mother, Katina Smith. Throughout Thomas's life, she remained his most important person, even though she spent much of it incarcerated. Smith watched Super Bowl 48 from prison, and in this feature, she opens up about how their bond stayed unbreakable despite the distance and hardship.

Through the story of that Super Bowl touchdown, Smith shares the kindness, hard work, and success that defined her son's life—a legacy that continues to inspire his family, friends, teammates, and fans. DT passed away in 2021 from complications related to a seizure, following a major car crash the year before. But his spirit, and the love between a mother and her son, lives on in moments like these.