Former Howard University running back Ian Wheeler was having a solid training camp with the Chicago Bears until an ACL tear ended his season and landed him on injured reserve.
As the Bears are on HBO’s annual behind-the-scenes show Hard Knocks, the cameras caught Wheeler and his mother Beaura’s embrace after learning of the severity of his injury. The moment made a huge impression on social media users around the country.
Rookie RB Ian Wheeler’s mom was right there for her son when he got the news that he tore his ACL.
#HardKnocks with the @ChicagoBears available now on @StreamOnMax pic.twitter.com/dOQfdsNoWN
— NFL (@NFL) August 28, 2024
“Thank you for coming,” Wheeler said to his mom as they hugged.
“I had to see you. It’s the way it’s supposed to be,” Beaura Wheeler replied.
Wheeler, already accepted into Howard’s prestigious medical school, carried 12 times for 52 yards and two touchdowns during the Bears’ preseason schedule before being injured against the Kansas City Chiefs last week.
The Houston native consoled his mom by saying, “God’s timing.”
Beaura added, “God’s got you covered.”
As Beaura Wheeler was led to a golf cart transporting her back to the stadium, a Bears staffer said to her, “We love him to death. You did a great job with him.”
