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President Obama Commutes Prison Sentence For Demaryius Thomas' Mother

DENVER (CBS4/AP) - President Barack Obama commuted the sentences for 46 prisoners currently being held behind bars, including the mother of Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas.

"These men and women were not hardened criminals," said Obama. "And if they had been sentenced under today's laws nearly all of them would have already served their time."

Demaryius Thomas
Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas #88 of the Denver Broncos makes a catch for a 23 yard gain and a first down at the 1-yard line against the Oakland Raiders at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 28, 2014 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Most of the prisoners were convicted of non-violent drug offenses.

This week the president plans to focus on ways to improve the fairness of the criminal justice system.

"There's a lot more we can do to restore the sense of fairness at the heart of our justice system and to make sure our tax dollars are well spent, even as we are keeping our streets safe," Obama said.

On Thursday Obama will become the first sitting president to visit a federal prison.

Katina Smith Demaryius Thomas's mom
(credit: Facebook)

Thomas's mother Katina Smith, along with his grandmother, Minnie Pearl Thomas, was arrested on charges of planning to distribute cocaine when Thomas was only 11 years old. Smith was sentenced to more than 20 years in prison.

Smith has watched her son's football career explode from a TV screen inside the Federal Corrections Institute in Florida.

In a 2013 phone interview with ESPN, Smith said she cannot wait to watch her son take to the field in person, "I want to see how he catches it, how he has his hands positioned, how he tucks it and runs with it. I want to see all of that."

Minnie Pearl Thomas is serving a life sentence as a repeat offender.

After his mother and grandmother were jailed, Thomas went to live with an uncle and aunt. Also helping to raise him was their oldest daughter, Angela Spencer, now 37.

"We are very happy that she is going to be free. It's time for her to be a part of Demaryius' life," Spencer said. "No matter how your situation goes in life, everybody needs their mother. It's time for her to be out from behind bars and into his life."

Smith was scheduled to be released in 2017. She'll now be released on Nov. 10.

RELATED: Demaryius Thomas' Mom, Grandma Have To Root From Prison

Thomas mentioned the news on his Facebook page on Monday. In a post he said, "God is good ... great news today. My best lady come home Nov. 10."

In an ESPN interview, Thomas said he talks to his mom before and after every game. Soon, she will be by his side.

"She was like, 'My first game I'm going to be on the sidelines with my pom-poms and my 88 jersey.' I'm like, 'You can't do that, they're going to kick you out,'" said Thomas.

The Broncos have until Wednesday to work out a long-term contract or Thomas will play this season on a $12.82 million franchise tag.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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