Texas Longhorns offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. has become an immovable force—a generational talent whose name is already being penciled into Top 5 mock drafts for 2025. Standing as one of the most consistent and reliable linemen in the game, the 20-year-old phenom has given up just two sacks in his entire college career, and none during this season. But beneath the accolades and the on-field dominance lies a story of immense personal resilience. Over the past two years, Banks has shouldered not just the pressure of protecting his quarterback but also the emotional weight of nearly losing his mother, Monica Banks.

On October 15, 2024, ESPN College GameDay’s Jen Lada shed a tear herself while she shared his tragic family story.

Monica Banks is more than just the mother of a football prodigy; she’s a symbol of resilience. Alongside Kelvin Banks Sr., she raised Kelvin Banks Jr. with a foundation of love, discipline, and unwavering support. While details about her professional life remain sparse, her story as a mother transcends any title or occupation. KB’s no. 1 fan always cheered: “I’m like you better hit somebody, take them down now.”

However, in the fall of 2022, that unwavering presence was abruptly interrupted. After attending a game against Oklahoma State, Monica collapsed in the parking lot. Doctors discovered a blood clot in her heart, marking the beginning of a harrowing medical journey.

Despite her physical absence from the stands, Monica’s influence on Kelvin never wavered. “Every time she would miss a game, I would always think about it because not seeing her is kind of like hard for me to go through in those moments,” Kelvin Banks Jr. shared in an emotional interview.

A near-death experience: Monica Banks’ fight for life

The collapse in October 2022 was just the start of Monica’s ordeal. While Kelvin pressed forward with his freshman season in Austin, Monica was placed on a ventilator and slipped into a coma. Things looked up in December when her condition seemed to improve, but the Banks family’s joy was short-lived.

Back in Houston, Monica’s health continued to decline, leading to countless weekends spent in hospitals. By January 2024, her condition had worsened to the point where she could neither walk nor talk. Doctors struggled to diagnose the root cause, and she was eventually placed in hospice care, deemed terminal.

For Kelvin Banks, the emotional toll was enormous. “Everybody needs their mom, so just not being able to pick up the phone and talk to my mom, it was definitely tough,” he told ESPN. Monica’s decline weighed heavily on her son, who, at just 20 years old, had to grapple with the possibility of losing his biggest supporter. But then, an unexpected encounter changed everything.

Kelvin Banks Sr. crossed paths with a man who had experienced similar symptoms to Monica. This chance meeting provided the family with a new lead. Doctors discovered that Monica’s gallbladder was leaking toxins into her body. In July 2024, surgeons removed her gallbladder, and the results were miraculous.

Monica began to regain her ability to speak, and her strength returned steadily. “When they finally figured out what was wrong, I could express myself again. I wasn’t worried about not being here,” Monica said. By the fall of 2024, she was back in the stands, cheering for her son with the same fervor as before.

“Seeing her back in the stands means everything to me,” Kelvin said. Her presence serves as a reminder of the battles they’ve overcome together, and it fuels his drive to excel both on and off the field. With the playoffs semifinal ahead, Monica’s resilience is a testament to the power of hope and the unbreakable bond between a mother and her child.