INDIANAPOLIS — In the swirl of scowls and no-nonsense that is the NFL scouting combine, Alabama Crimson Tide cornerback Terrion Arnold flashed a million-dollar smile and a heartfelt message to his mom.
After Arnold finished his on-field workout inside Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday, he turned an interview with NFL Network's Stacey Dales into the moment every parent wants.
After enthusiastically discussing his work on the field, Arnold first thanked “Miss Terry,” the wife of former Alabama coach Nick Saban.
“She texted me right before she came here, I said 'it was like another game,'” Arnold said. “She said 'you should be blessed, you're highly favored' and she said 'just get out.' there and give it your all'… Just words of encouragement for her, like in the old days.”
Dales asked if Arnold wanted to send a message to his mother. Tamala and Terrion gave him some cheerful words.
“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 doubted you, they wrote you off. And honestly, mom, like I always tell you: come here, come here, Tamala Arnold, I love you, the whole world is watching and I have lucky 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. I'll never forget where I come from, Tallahassee, Florida, it's a hard place to beat, everyone who sees this At home they are proud of me because I gave it my all.”
Arnold added that those watching should be ready for more at the pro day on Alabama's campus.
“Everyone tune in to the pro day because it's going to be a spectacle,” he said.
Arnold had a time of 4.50 seconds in the 40-yard dash and was one of the best in the position drills.
He is the 17th player on Mel Kiper Jr.'s latest big board and is expected to be one of the first cornerbacks selected in the NFL draft.
