When Bengals kicker Neil Rackers was charged with fourth-degree assault, a misdemeanor charge being dismissed, few people could understand his mother's fear and anger.

        Mary Cay Rackers turned to some of the only people who could empathize — other moms of NFL players she met as a member of the Professional Football Players Mothers Association.

        One mom, in particular, was helpful. Sandy McCrary, mother of Ravens defensive lineman Michael McCrary, is the general counsel of the football moms' group.

        “She said, "Keep the faith. The truth will win out,”' Mary Cay Rackers said. “It really helped.”

        This Mother's Day finds the coast-to-coast association of NFL moms growing in membership and influence. Founded in 1998, the group has more than 100 active members. And, beside supporting their sons' charities, the moms are establishing their own national identity by linking with breast cancer research and collecting clothing for women making the transition from welfare to the work force.

        Of course, one of the major benefits, members say, is the support of other women whose sons have the same, one-of-a-kind job as an NFL player.

        “I'm there for them and their sons,” Mary Cay Rackers said, “and they're there for me and my son.”

        The group's five-part mission is to: Develop programs and public relations plans to promote a positive image of professional football players as athletes and men; present seminars for families of pro football players to help orient them to the environment and inform them of available programs and benefits; assist their sons in their own personal and professional development; promote their sons' charitable and community service initiatives and foundations; and involve the organization in community service and charitable programs on local and national levels.

        Members also support the charitable work of other members. LaWanda Davis, mother of Broncos running back Terrell Davis and the group's membership chairwoman, recently received two pairs of shoes from each group member to ship to a school in Africa she supports.

        There are four Bengals moms in the group or joining this year: Mary Cay Rackers, of St. Louis; Ruth Roman (defensive back Mark Roman), of New Orleans; and Rita Bean (defensive back Robert Bean), of Atlanta; and Karen Smith (quarterback Akili Smith), of San Diego.

        “The NFL is so different than what it was like when the boys played college ball,” said Rita Bean, who hopes to meet more NFL moms and get involved in the group's charity efforts.

        The vast majority of members are African-American, and there is a decidedly spiritual feel to the group. Marilyn Porcher, mother of Detroit Lions defensive lineman Robert Porcher, is the group's chaplain.

        Gladys Bettis, mother of Steelers running back Jerome Bettis, is the group's president. Charlene McNabb, the mother of Philadelphia Eagles' quarterback Donovan McNabb and a registered nurse, writes a column for the newsletter on medical matters — such as how to maintain good health while traveling.

        Members are planning to publish a cook book of their sons' favorite recipes to raise money for its philanthropic efforts.

        It's the newsletter that keeps the women connected. And each newsletter is filled with information about the foundations and good works of NFL players, provided, of course, by their mothers.

        The news about Neil Rackers has not been good in Cincinnati for the past few months. There was the fourth-degree assault charge, and the team drafted kicker Travis Dorsch in the fourth round to challenge Rackers for his job.

        “What people don't know about Neil is how he spends one day every two weeks in the cancer unit at (Cincinnati's) Children's Hospital,” Mary Cay Rackers said. “So many of the guys do good works, and they don't do them for publicity. But we know what they do, and we want to get that out to balance some of the other stuff that's reported.”

NFL mothers find support in each other Bengals Q&A with Mark Curnutte NFL insider

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