SARASOTA, Fla. -- NFL cornerback Sam Shields grew up in Sarasota, graduating from Booker High School. And after so much success in his career, he is giving back to his family -- especially his mom, who has spent so much of her life giving to others.
Mimi "Mama" Shields is the mother of the Green Bay Packers cornerback Sam Shields.
In what is truly an American story, she built a life for her son, and now he is building a life for her.
"It’s a blessing...that’s all I can say, it’s just a blessing from God." Mama Shields has long been known in her community as the person who always gives back; even when the family had nothing to give. It’s a lesson she learned from her mother. "She gave a lot."
And that giving back will continue to happen, in part thanks to the new deal her son has just signed: a $39 million contract to stay on with the Green Bay Packers, virtually eliminating any financial concerns the family had had.
"It is a relief; it is kind of a release to not worry about those things anymore."
Sam Shields purchased his family a new home in Sarasota, a beautiful and quite spacious home.
Mama says that Sam set his goals at a young age. And the advice she has for moms? "For one thing, a mother is going to support her child whichever way it goes. And like I said, when my son was young, he wrote his goals, and that’s what we followed."
The family is also getting national exposure, appearing on the Rachael Ray Show on Thursday afternoon. “Inner feeling I get when I give is important to me, and it’s important to those that I give to. And to see the smiles and the relief that they have when I share with them what they need," she said on the show.
Mimi Shields says that despite their change of lifestyle, it will not change their love of community.
