Jet-setting mama
Mom of NFL draftee Becton raised him ‘tough’ — and big
Mekhi Becton’s mom has always been his No. 1 cheerleader — even when, as a kid, the Jets’ newly drafted offensive tackle was scared to play.
“Although it was only flag football, I remember him going out and being scared that he was going to get hit,” Semone Becton told The Post of her son, who started playing at age 4. “But I’ve always been excited to see him play.”
Two weeks ago, things got even more exciting when her boy was called up in the first round of the NFL draft, which was held virtually in living rooms across America due to the coronavirus lockdown.
“We started screaming and going nuts and Mekhi had to tell us to be quiet because he couldn’t hear [the call],” said Semone, 41. “My husband and I were so proud of him.”
But Sunday her three boys — 21year-old Mekhi, 12-year-old Michael, and baby Mason, 3 — are celebrating her, even though they’re not all together. Mekhi and Michael are currently in Texas, where the new Jet is training, and Semone, who lives in Richmond, Va., plans to visit them in the coming weeks, along with her husband, Jerome.
“Normally for Mother’s Day, we go to church and have a cookout. This year, there will be a Zoom call to Texas,” said Semone. “The last few years, Mekhi has been in college, but he would always send a gift. I’m not a materialistic person, so he would send me maybe tennis shoes or flowers. He is very thoughtful.”
Mekhi told The Post, “I feel like this is a more special Mother’s Day because I was drafted. I will send her some flowers, but I will probably go big next year. My mom is awesome. She doesn’t sugar coat anything and speaks what’s on her mind. It made me have tougher skin, which is a huge advantage.”
He also told the LA Times that his mom — a classically trained chef and a caterer known for her fried chicken, mac-and-cheese and collard greens — and her soul food are to thank for his imposing stature. He stands 6-foot-7 and weighs 364 pounds.
As a 10-year-old, he was so big for his age that opposing coaches and parents would ask to see his birth certificate.
But Semone refuses to take full credit: “He was naturally going to be that big. She added that she makes sure he also eats healthier food like grilled chicken or salmon.
“He is a good cook. He watched me a lot and he watches a lot of cooking shows,” she added. “He is probably more into French cuisine, and he likes chefs like Gordon Ramsay. He even teaches me new things.”
But sometimes, a guy just wants his mother’s home cooking. When Mekhi was playing at the University of Louisville, Semone would prepare a yearly Thanksgiving dinner for her son and some of his teammates.
So can Gang Green look forward to a turkey feast with all the fixings? “If they want it, they can have it!” she said.
The family plans to attend each home game, and Semone said Mekhi is looking forward to being a New Yorker.
“He loves the city. I think he is going to go out there and play really well. He is going to play with his heart,” she said. “And I am geared up. Today I went into work wearing my Jets hat, shirt and flip flops. I am definitely ready.”