TSR Positive Images: Get the tissues ready now, Roommates, or blame it on someone cutting onions but the Miami Heat’s Chris Silva’s reunion with his mother will have you in your feelings!
Chris Silva, who has only seen his family once since moving to the U.S. from the African country of Gabon to play professional ball in 2012, was reunited with his mother on Friday at the American Airlines Arena. That was the first time Silva got to hug his mother in three years, according to CNN.
“We have a great surprise for you,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told him as the team finished preparing for their game against the Indiana Pacers. “Merry Christmas, brother.”
Silva’s reaction was even more touching. “That’s my mum,” Silva said, sobbing after seeing his mother, who traveled more than 6,300 miles from Gabon to see her son.
Silva told reporters on Friday that he had talked to his mother over the phone on Christmas Day and never imagined that he would be seeing her in person so soon.
“I thought I was seeing a ghost,” Silva said of the reunion.
While Silva didn’t play during Friday’s game, the Heat is set to face the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night.
“Thank you so much to the @MiamiHEAT and everyone in it who helped with this! Thank you Adam Silver and @NBA_Africa for the funds and words can’t explain I was shook even after the game and still can’t believe it! Blessed! This is a Christmas miracle!,” Silva tweeted on Saturday.
The Heat said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and NBA Senior Vice President of International Basketball Operations Kimberly Bohuny and NBA Africa collaborated to reunite Silva and his mother.
