“How far has this family come?” Well! Far enough many would say. But not too far away from the roots, for sure. Innocence in today’s day and age is rare, it has become a novelty. And Brian Thomas Jr’s parents left a smile on all our faces with their innocence.

When you think of the NFL Draft, you usually focus on the players—what they bring to the table, how fast they run, how many touchdowns they score. But sometimes, the real entertainment comes from the sidelines and that’s exactly what happened at the 2024 NFL Draft back in April. So, who are the viral parents, and how did they manage to steal some of the spotlight?

Who are Brian Thomas Sr and Sondra Thomas?

Brian Thomas Jr. may be the one catching passes and making plays on the field, but his parents have (unintentionally) set the internet on fire. After Brian Jr. was selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, Brian Sr. simply stated, “It’s awesome. That’s all I can tell you. It’s awesome, it’s an awesome feeling.” Just a father being proud of his son’s success, right? But that was not the end of it.

Brian’s mother Sondra’s hilarious and refreshingly “innocent” response made her an overnight star on the internet. When ABC reporter Laura Rutledge asked her how far the family had come, Sondra delivered the now-viral answer: “We came from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.” Fans and reporters alike found her comment both hilarious and refreshing. Providing much needed comic relief during the typically emotional draft interviews.

Not much else is publicly known about the Thomas family, though. But from their grounding presence to the playful banter, it’s clear that Brian Jr.’s accomplishments are a reflection of their love and dedication as parents. Now, let’s dive into how Sondra’s viral moment resonated with fans who simply couldn’t stop shipping her.

Brian Thomas Jr’s mother takes the fandom by storm after son’s NFL draft

When was the last time you heard about an NFL draft interview becoming viral? Scratching your head? No surprises there. But Sondra Thomas managed to do just that during the drafts in April. Sondra’s deadpan response quickly became one of the most talked about moments of the night. And fans on social media just couldn’t stop hailing her for the refreshingly no-nonsense reply.

Her response was hailed as “the best NFL draft moment” by many, turning Sondra into a fan favorite almost overnight. One user on X wrote, “Brian Thomas’ mother with the best interview answer of the night” , while another user joked, “Not a single lie was told 😂”.

While her comment about Baton Rouge might have captured all the attention, Sondra’s follow-up answer displayed a different side of her. When she was further asked about her son’s accomplishments, she had a heartfelt reply. “It means the world. It’s amazing. I’m so grateful to God… we are so proud of him.”

From their humble beginnings in Baton Rouge to Brian Jr. being selected 23rd overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Thomas family truly has come a long way. The wide receiver has had a decent start to his career too, accumulating 689 receiving yards. To top that off, he also added 5 touchdowns, placing him at 12th. And as Thomas Jr. march ahead in his NFL journey, Sondra’s response will certainly remain one of the most charming and memorable occurrences of the 2024 NFL Draft.