Thursday members of Notre Dame's football team gathered for what's become a fun tradition. Senior Braxston Cave's Mother has been making her son and his teammates dinner before home games since he went to high school at Penn. But since Saturday is Braxston's last home game, Thursday night was the last dinner. Mama Cave, as the players call her, made lasagna for the special night.
Since she's been cooking for Braxston and his teammates for years she's gone through a lot of food. "To make a meal for these guys it costs me about 100 to 125 dollars," said Kim Cave. But she's happy to do it. "Everybody wants their mom around but when mom's can't be around I can fill in." Her son agrees, that's exactly why she's played host for years. "guys like Manti they don't get to go home ever. Anytime those guys can get away from campus and get around a family atmosphere it's special for them." And boy do they enjoy it. Kapron Lewis Moore said, "his mom makes some great food." And Mike Golic Jr. said, "everyone loves going over and sampling the Mama Cave burritos, which have become pretty famous by now."
Mama Cave admits despite the hard work it'll be sad to see the tradition end. "I get teary eyed. Ya know. It's been a part of our life for five years he's been at Notre Dame and then through high school," said Kim Cave.
It's emotional for Braxston too as he realizes what this really means. "It's kinda crazy to think next time I'm playing football it's not going to be close to home," said Braxston.
But mama cave has a plan for feeding her son and his teammates in the future. "I hope someday I get to be the Campbell's soup mom."
