The boy who went viral after his mom hugged him following an American football game has now spoken out, making a heartbreaking confession.
Amber Wright was like any other proud parent when she took to Instagram to show how happy she was with her son Brixton after his football game in Utah.
The video uploaded on social media of the pair shows them embracing, with the son picking his mom up, who then wraps her arms and legs around him.
Viewers have been left divided by the viral footage, with some supportive and understanding, while others have taken issue with how affectionate the mom is.
Wright has defended herself and now Brixton has issued a response too.
The boy who went viral after his mom hugged him following an American football game has now spoken out, making a heartbreaking confession. Credit: @ambslund/InstagramPeople in the comments are offering their support to the pair.
One person writes: “My son is six and calls me beautiful all day long. Boys love their mamas, nothing wrong with that.”
Someone else comments: “Leave this family alone. They just hugged, why does it matter how it looked to everyone else and what it really meant for these two? We as people need to do better and worry about what’s going on in our own lives.”
“You owe no one no explanation/apologies young king. You and your mom are blessed to have each other,” adds a third.
Posting in the comments on his mom’s video, son Brixton replies: “Some of you need Jesus. She’s my mom I did pick her up she didn’t jump on me it was a hug, get the f*** over it for real.”
Further down, he responds directly to someone else telling people to leave his mom ‘alone’ before calling her his ‘hero.’
Recently, the single mother took to Instagram again to share a text message from Brixton – in which he shared that his father had sadly taken his own life.
To honor him, he wore the number 44 jersey, which is the day and month that he died, April 4th.
In the caption for the post, Wright says that she ‘will hold her head high’ as she continues to raise Brixton, before signing it off by calling him her hero too.
The text message reads: “My mom is my hero. I was just giving her a hug after the game and I did pick her up. She did not jump on me. My mom’s been the only person there for me my whole life.
“I grew up with an alcoholic dad who would just come and go when he wanted. He was great when he was sober but he wasn’t, he was just so dark and different.”
Brixton explains that his dad never really showed up to any of his football matches, while his mom has been at every single match.
He continues: “My dad ended up committing suicide last year and this year I changed my number to 44 because it was his death date (4/4/21). It was her first time seeing me wear it in person so obviously she was very emotional and so was I. All it was was a big hug from me to her.”
Amber has since shared her own defense of the controversial hug in a recent Instagram post.
She posted: “BTW… y’all who tried to break us – you FAILED. Miserably actually.
“If you don’t like me but you’re still here watching me a year later, you’re a fan and I appreciate your ongoing support.”
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in the US at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.
In the UK, the Samaritans is available 24/7 if you need to talk. You can contact them for free by calling 116 123, emailing jo@samaritans.org or heading to the website to find your nearest branch.
