TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Senior day for the Alabama Crimson Tide Football players is a time when the graduating class can celebrate their hard work with close friends and family. The team honors each graduate in a presentation before the last home game that includes flowers and a family photo-op with Head Coach Nick Saban.

But for walk-on running back Lawrence Erekosima, the day was even more special. Most of his family was on the sideline to congratulate him, one important person was missing: his mother.

Erekosima’s mother serves in the U.S. military and was on active duty in Kuwait – or so Lawrence thought. Instead, his mother planned to surprise him at the end of the senior day presentation in front of an awe-struck crowd of 101,000 people.

You can watch the touching moment in the video below.

Awesome surprise on Senior Day for Lawrence Erekosima from his mother! #RollTide pic.twitter.com/nHns9VMLT9

— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) November 27, 2016

Coach Saban emotionally discussed the event in his post-Iron Bowl press conference, where he expressed his happiness for his player. “He’s a fine young man that’s been in our program for a long time,” Saban said. “I have a special place in my heart for all the guys – all the star players get a big ovation, they get to play, they get accolades, they get nominated for awards. A lot of those guys, they play their game on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, helping the rest of the players get ready for the game. And Lawrence is one of those guys that has done a phenomenal job here. He’s had some ups and downs, been injured, came back. But for his mother to be able to come today almost made me cry.”