The mother of Buffalo Bills starting wide receiver Stevie Johnson died unexpectedly on Saturday at the age of 48. Despite the loss, Johnson started against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday afternoon. He caught one pass for four yards in the Bills' 27-20 win.
Rhonda Lewis died at her Northern California home this weekend, according to Tim Graham of The Buffalo News, who broke the story during the first quarter Sunday. At about the same time on the field, offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett was calling several plays specifically designed to get the ball into Stevie's hands on receiver screens. Those play calls accounted for his only reception on the day.
There are no further details at this time but Graham spoke to an unidentified member of Johnson's family who told him Johnson was "devastated" but determined to play. As Graham wrote last October, Johnson has a large tattoo on his forearm with his mother's name.
Our deepest condolences go out to Johnson and his family at this difficult time.
Here's a closeup of Stevie Johnson's eyeblack after getting the news of his mother's passing. #himom pic.twitter.com/N4TsBklwor
— Buffalo Bills (@buffalobills) December 16, 2013