The Congo Woman Who Worked from 4AM to 10PM in America—Just So Her Son, Andrew Mukuba, Could Become an NFL Star

Before Andrew Mukuba heard his name called on NFL Draft Day, before the lights and cameras, there was a woman waking up at 4 a.m. every morning and not resting until after 10 p.m.—his mother. Her name is rarely mentioned on the field, but her fingerprints are on every inch of Andrew’s journey to the NFL.

Born in Harare, Zimbabwe, to Congolese refugee parents, Andrew Mukuba’s path to football glory began with a desperate escape. His mother fled violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo, carrying the hope of a better life for her son. They resettled in America when Andrew was just nine. With no English, no connections, and no financial support, she worked grueling hours—cleaning offices in the early morning, babysitting during the day, and cooking in a local diner by night.

“She never complained,” Mukuba once said. “Even when I saw her feet bleeding or her hands raw, she just smiled and told me to keep going.” For nearly a decade, she juggled multiple jobs just to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads—while making sure Andrew had shoes for practice, tutoring after school, and rides to every game.

Football became Andrew’s way of honoring her sacrifices. He poured his energy into becoming better—not just for himself, but for the woman who gave everything. When Clemson offered him a scholarship, he cried—not for the prestige, but because it meant his mother could finally rest a little.

Now, in 2025, drafted in the second round of the NFL Draft, Andrew Mukuba knows the real MVP isn’t wearing a jersey. It’s the woman who worked quietly in the shadows, chasing no spotlight—just survival and a dream for her son.

“She built this life brick by brick,” he said. “My success is hers. Always.”

Every time he steps on the field, it’s more than a game. It’s a tribute to the woman who gave up everything so he could have anything.