A new ESPN docuseries has brought renewed attention to the violent assault that left DeAndre Hopkins‘ mother blind more than two decades ago. The Kingdom, which examines the Kansas City Chiefs‘ recent dominance in the NFL, includes a segment in which Sabrina Greenlee recounts the events that changed her life. Hopkins, who joined the Chiefs partway through the 2023 season, appears in the same episode, scheduled for release on August 14.
Greenlee says the day of the attack began with an unexpected discovery – her car was gone. A call from her then-boyfriend directed her to an address where she could collect it. When she arrived, tensions flared between them, and the situation escalated further when another woman emerged from the home. That woman hurled a corrosive liquid, striking Greenlee‘s face, neck, and back.
The chemical, later identified as a mixture of bleach and lye, caused immediate, extensive burns. Greenlee lost consciousness not long after and spent close to a month in a coma. Recovery required significant rehabilitation, including relearning how to walk, and the injuries resulted in permanent blindness.
How did the incident impact a young DeAndre?
Hopkins, who was ten years old, remembers the moment he saw his mother after she returned from the hospital. Her face was wrapped in bandages, with only her eyes visible, their appearance altered by the attack. Greenlee recalls her children sitting with her in silence, struggling to process what had happened. Hopkins says they stayed near her constantly, feeling a need to shield her from further harm.
In the aftermath, family life changed dramatically. Hopkins assumed responsibilities well beyond his age – reading aloud to his mother, describing television scenes, and helping around the house. Greenlee has credited his resilience as a motivating force in her own recovery. She made a point of telling her children that the assault would not dictate their futures or define who they were as a family.
Hopkins went on to build a distinguished NFL career, earning five Pro Bowl selections, three first-team All-Pro honours, and ranking second in receiving yards in Houston Texans history. After a stint with the Tennessee Titans, he was traded to Kansas City during the 2023 season.
That year, Hopkins helped the Chiefs defeat the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship Game, securing a place in the Super Bowl. For Greenlee, watching her son reach that stage was an emotional milestone. She said after the game that his perseverance and dedication had carried him through challenges that many would not have overcome.
Although the Chiefs were ultimately defeated by the Philadelphia Eagles and Hopkins signed with the Baltimore Ravens in the offseason, the bond between mother and son remains a defining element of his life. Greenlee says she envisions his movements during every game, while Hopkins admits he often imagines her reaction to his performances, whether they result in triumph or disappointment.
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