‘You overcame a lot’: Terrion Arnold shouts out his mother at NFL combine

Jeff Legwold, ESPN Senior WriterMar 1, 2024, 08:38 PM ET
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INDIANAPOLIS — In the furrowed brow, no-nonsense swirl that is the get-down-to-business NFL scouting combine, Alabama Crimson Tide cornerback Terrion Arnold dropped a million-dollar smile and a bottom-of-his-heart message to his mom.

After Arnold finished his on-field workout inside Lucas Oil Stadium Friday, he turned an interview with the NFL Network’s Stacey Dales into the moment every parent desires.

After he enthusiastically broke down his on-field work, Arnold first thanked “Miss Terry” — the wife of former Alabama coach Nick Saban.

There is SO MUCH GOODNESS in this conversation with Terrion Arnold. He breaks down his tape… then sends a POWERFUL message to his amazing Mom Tamala. He had me in tears… @nflnetwork ❤️ pic.twitter.com/vkSXyh7Bup

— StaceyDales (@StaceyDales) March 1, 2024

“She texted me right before I came out here, I told her ‘it was just like another game,”’ Arnold said. “She said ‘you should be blessed, you’re highly favored’ and she said ‘just go out there and give it your all’ … Just encouraging words for her, just like old times.”

Dales asked if Arnold wanted to send a message to his mother Tamala and Terrion gave a lighthearted word.

“Mom, if you’re watching this right now, your son just wanted to tell you how proud he is of you,” Arnold said. “You had me at a young age and you overcame a lot of adversity. People were doubting you, counting you out. And honestly mom like I always tell you — zoom in right here, zoom in — Tamala Arnold, I love you, the whole world is watching and I’m blessed to have you as a mom. Like I said, you overcame a lot and with that being said I’m going to tell you to keep shining just like you raised me to be. I’ll never forget where I came from, Tallahassee, Florida, it’s a hard place to make it out of, everybody watching this back at home be proud of me because I gave it my all.”

Arnold added that those watching should be ready for more at Alabama’s on-campus pro day.

“Y’all tune into pro day because it’s going to be a show,” he said.

Arnold rank a 4.50-second 40-yard dash and was one of the best performers in the position drills. He is the No. 17 prospect on Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest Big Board and expected to be one of the first cornerbacks selected in the NFL draft.