She never complained of pain or exhaustion—working three jobs for nearly 15 years, just so Barryn Sorrell could make it to the NFL

When Barryn Sorrell walked across the NFL Draft stage, his name finally called by the Green Bay Packers, the world saw a rising star. But what the cameras didn’t capture was the woman behind that moment—the one who sacrificed nearly everything for him to stand there: his mother, Saylaina Givens.

For nearly 15 years, Saylaina worked three jobs simultaneously—often leaving the house before sunrise and returning long after the world was asleep. She never once complained. Not about the aching muscles, the missed meals, or the exhaustion that threatened to break her. Her sole focus was on keeping Barryn’s dreams alive. That meant paying for gear he needed, keeping food on the table, and saving every possible dollar to fly him to football camps and showcase tournaments.

There were times when money ran so low she skipped doctor’s appointments, wore the same clothes for years, and turned down social invitations just to save gas money. Barryn remembers one winter when the heater broke, and instead of fixing it immediately, his mom bundled up and told him, “You need that practice fee more than I need heat.” That’s who she was: selfless, determined, and fiercely protective of her son’s future.

When the Packers selected Barryn in the fourth round, the emotion he showed wasn’t just about football. It was about her. “She’s been my rock,” he said in the post-selection interview. “Everything I have, everything I’ve become—it’s because she never gave up on me, even when life gave her every reason to.”

While fans see only the stats and draft numbers, Barryn Sorrell sees his mother’s tired hands and unwavering belief. He carries that with him into every snap, every tackle, and every moment he wears the Packers jersey.

Because behind this rookie’s NFL dream is a mother who never said she was tired—just quietly gave everything she had. And that is the real story worth remembering.