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PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Resilience and joy in the face of tragedy and hate. That’s the story of Nina and Marybelle Alston.
It was May 14, 2022, and 10 Black people were killed in a racially motivated mass shooting at a Tops supermarket in Buffalo, New York.
Instead of succumbing to the horror of the moment, Nina went in the opposite direction.
"I said, 'Let me just do something to bring a good vibe out there to everybody,'" said Nina.
In their Riverview, Florida home, Nina put Janet Jackson's "All For You" on their TV so her then-88-year-old mother could do something she absolutely loves — dance.
With Eagles memorabilia throughout the room, including a carpet with the team logo, Marybelle, now 89, was wearing Eagles pants while dancing to the music, clapping her hands and singing along to the song.
Nina filmed the moment on her phone and shared it on social media.
"And I just happened to tag Janet Jackson," Nina said. "I wasn't thinking she was ever going to respond to it.”
Respond she did.
A few days later, Jackson quote-tweeted the post, "I luv it," and Marybelle’s dance quickly gained over 1 million views.
"It was shocking, but it was a great experience," said Nina.
Eagles green is in the Alston family blood
While Nina and Marybelle are now based in Florida, the Alstons previously lived in Wayne, Pennsylvania, and proudly continue to rep the Delaware Valley.
Nina said she became a Philadelphia sports fan at a very young age, thanks in part to having five brothers. Thus it was inevitable the Eagles, Sixers or Phillies were on.
"The passion that the city has for the sports teams is what gravitated me towards it when I got older," Nina said. "I was so happy to be a part of that."
Nina's passion and knowledge is evident on her Twitter feed.
"I'm a huge Eagles fan," she said. "Huge."
This was something that originally came from her father and brothers, but has become a full family obsession.
"We're all grateful to still have our mom with us and to be able to enjoy that, when they win of course. The celebration of winning is always good. And she gets so excited when they win because I put the strobe lights on when the Eagles win and it's just a fun gathering for us with my mom."
How sports help Marybelle
Marybelle Alston — who took care of seven children — has a wonderfully vibrant smile that lights up a room. She laughs, claps and dances.
About 1 ½ years ago, she was diagnosed with dementia, but Nina saw signs long before that.
Through the ordeal, Philadelphia sports has been one of the things that brings her joy.
"I think just that vibe of family and fans being together … that's a good experience for her to see that,” Nina said.
Although she's not completely sure if her mother understands all the details of what’s happening, Nina keeps Marybelle informed on big Eagles news, saying it's something fun for her to hear.
She also loves it when Nina buys her new Eagles clothes before a season begins, often reminding her daughter she is due for new threads.
‘I love to dance’
Just like sports, Nina said dancing has been a part of the Alston household for years — something her mother and late father Virgil James Alston, who passed away in 1996, would always do.
They would hold house parties, and “and it was just a fun family gathering of just celebrating being together. And dancing was always a part of that.”
“And it was fun,” Marybelle jumped in saying. “It was really fun. I love to dance.”
Mood swings come with Marybelle’s dementia. Nina says sometimes her mother will cry, so she tries to get her to do something positive before she goes to sleep. Dancing works wonders.
“I think it brings back good memories of her and my dad,” Nina said, “and the family … she hasn’t cried as much anymore. So dancing before bed is definitely a good therapy for her.”
“I’m a good dancer,” Marybelle said with a big smile while dancing in her seat.
Eagles fans everywhere hope she’ll get plenty of practice this year. With each win, the dance is on in Florida. And Marybelle and Nina expect to do it a lot this season.
They’re predicting a 14-3 record.
If you want to submit your story, or someone you know, to be highlighted as KYW Newsradio's Philadelphia Sports Fan of the Week, click here.