Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Eli Rogers, who now suits up for the DC Defenders of the new XFL, made a difficult decision to play for his new team Saturday and miss the funeral of his mother.
Tranae Jackson died on Feb. 5 at the age of 50.
Before the game Rogers acknowledged the difficult decision and shared his thoughts on Twitter, saying that his mother would be proud and would have supported his decision.
Today was one of the toughest decisions I had to make in my life. My Mother’s final service is today and I am not going to be there. After a long talk with God and her, I came to this conclusion… I know most people may think I am crazy. Selfish even..
— E L I (@__bELIeve17) February 15, 2020
I respect your opinion. But in life, Sometimes, it is not about doing what you feel is right, it is about doing what you know is right. It’s not about physically knowing someone. It is about know building a relationship with a person from the inside out.
— E L I (@__bELIeve17) February 15, 2020
I know My Mother is proud of who I am today and the decision I chose today. Without Her sacrifice and humiliation, I wouldn’t be where I am today. It is because of her I was able to be in a position to chase my dreams. That is all she her wanted from me. I Love You Ma ?
— E L I (@__bELIeve17) February 15, 2020
Rogers caught five passes for 49 yards, including a 25-yard catch on the opening drive, to help the Defenders defeat the New York Guardians, 27-0.
“It was a tough week for not just Eli but for myself and the rest of our locker room,” Defenders coach Pep Hamilton said, reported USA Today. “It warmed me up just to see Eli enjoying the victory with his teammates. It’s just a testament of his character and the (mental strength) that you’ve got to have to be able to endure something like that. It would have been hard for me, I guess the average person, to focus under those circumstances.”
An undrafted free agent from 2015, Rogers appeared in 30 career games with the Steelers during the 2016-18 seasons, catching 78 passes for 822 yards and four touchdowns.
He was released by the team before the start of the last season.
