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Life Sentence: The Surprising Details Behind Obama's Pardon to Broncos' Demaryius Thomas's Grandmother

True story of a cocaine ring, racism and redemption.

Demaryius Thomas and his family owe a lot to President Obama.

Two years after the commander-in-chief commuted the prison sentence for the Denver Broncos' wide receiver's mother, he has done the same for Thomas's grandmother.

Minnie Thomas, 60, was among 214 non-violent drug offenders that President Obama commuted the sentences of on Wednesday. She is now scheduled to be released from prison on December 1, in time to possibly see her grandson play for the defending Super Bowl champion Broncos.

According to the Daily Mail, Minnie, 60, was sentenced to life in prison for conspiracy to possess and intent to distribute cocaine. The sentence stems from her involvement in a 1990s Georgia cocaine ring with Katina Smith, Demaryius's mom.

Smith had her sentence commuted by President Obama in July 2014 and then watched her son play for the first time in person this past January.

During training camp on Wednesday, Thomas told reporters how he learned about his grandmother going from life in prison to getting another chance in life, all thanks to President Obama.

He also spoke more about her getting a second chance.

Unbelievable story.

BET Sports News — Get the latest news and information about African-Americans in sports, including weekly recaps, celebrity news and photos of your favorite Black athletes.

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