She worked from 4 AM to 10 PM every day, doing all kinds of jobs—just to help Xavier Worthy chase his NFL dream.

Before Xavier Worthy became a first-round pick for the Kansas City Chiefs, there was a woman behind the scenes who never stopped grinding: his mother, Nicky Jones. Long before NFL scouts ever called, Nicky was waking up at 4 in the morning, juggling multiple jobs, and collapsing into bed at 10 PM—all to give her son a chance to dream.

As a single mother of three, Nicky had no safety net. She worked in fast food, cleaned houses, drove deliveries, and even worked night shifts when needed. Every dollar she earned went toward raising her children with dignity and hope. But it was Xavier’s dream of playing football professionally that kept her pushing through exhaustion and fear. She saw something in her son from a young age—drive, resilience, and extraordinary talent.

Their home in Fresno, California, wasn’t large, but it was full of love and determination. Xavier remembers how his mom would show up to every practice, sometimes still in her work uniform, and never once complained about the exhaustion she carried. “She never told me to give up,” Xavier once said. “She told me to keep showing up. So I did—for her.”

When Xavier was drafted by the Chiefs in 2024, the spotlight finally found him—but he made sure it found her, too. On her birthday, during a game, he scored a touchdown and immediately ran to the stands to hand her the ball. It wasn’t just a gesture—it was the culmination of years of sweat, sacrifice, and silent struggle.

For Nicky Jones, the NFL isn’t just about football. It’s proof that love, grit, and relentless sacrifice can change the trajectory of a family. Xavier’s rise is her triumph too, a validation of every early morning and late night she endured alone.

In a league full of highlight reels, few moments shine brighter than the quiet, unseen love of a mother who never gave up. And for Xavier Worthy, no victory on the field will ever mean more than the one she fought for off it.