Boye Mafe honors late mother with sign language on game days
ESPN NFL • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 24, 2026, 1:21 PM
Last updated Oct 24, 2026

Boye Mafe, a defensive end for the Bengals, uses sign language during games to convey love to his late mother, Bola, who passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2018. This personal tradition highlights the emotional connection Mafe maintains with his mother and serves as a tribute on each game day. Mafe continues to perform at a high level, inspiring teammates and fans alike with this silent yet powerful message.
- •Mafe is a defensive end for the Bengals.
- •He uses sign language to say 'I love you' to his mother.
- •Bola Mafe died of pancreatic cancer in 2018.
- •This tradition occurs every game day.
- •Mafe's tribute connects him to fans and teammates.
- 2:15 PMESPN NFL — Inside the silent messages Boye Mafe sends every game day
"The Bengals defensive end uses sign language to say "I love you" to his mother, Bola, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2018.
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