‘Inappropriate’: Backlash over mum’s hug that went too far

A mum has been forced to respond after being accused of an “inappropriate” act in a viral video that’s sparked fierce debate.

She’s not embracing the feedback.

A Utah mother is defending herself after a video of her hugging her 16-year-old son at a football game went viral, with trolls suggesting the pair were inappropriately affectionate.

“I was so proud,” Amber Wright, 38, told TODAY.com last week. “I was a proud mom hugging her kid.

“I never expected it to turn into something where people are like, ‘You’re sexually abusing him! You’re grooming him! I’m calling child protective services,’” she added.

As family, friends, and fans rushed to the field last month after a win, the single mother ran into her son’s arms, The New York Post reports.

Brixton picked his mother up and held her for several seconds before she jumped down and finished congratulating him by shaking his shoulders.

Wright posted the video to Instagram on August 17 as she boasted about her son.

“This boy will forever and always have my entire heart,” she captioned the video. “When I walked up to hug my baby boy after his game, he immediately picked me up and just held me. It may have been 20 seconds, 30 seconds, a minute, I have no idea. But at this moment, time stood completely still.”

Amber Wright has barely missed a match. Photo: Instagram, @ambslund.

Amber Wright has been her son's biggest supporter. Photo: Instagram, @ambslund.

“I honestly don’t know what I did to deserve you @brix_wright but I am thankful every second of every single day for you,” she finished.

She later posted a photo for her 30,000 Instagram followers of the two of them after the game with the caption: “Just… him” along with two hearts and a football emoji.

She was shocked by the responses.

“It would’ve been cute if it was his girlfriend, but not a mother,” one person commented.

“Oh you’re one of THOSE moms..,” another wrote.

“I wonder how many of his friends are allowed to stay over. My son wouldn’t be allowed for sleepovers at their house,” a third declared.

Amber Wright has stolen the show at her son's games. Photo: Instagram, @ambslund.

The video quickly went viral as people debated if the hug, the poses, and the captions were appropriate mother-son behaviour.

For her part, Wright says she is grateful for their close relationship.

“I come from a very affectionate family. I hug my dad every time I see him,” she told TODAY. “What you saw on the football field is just how we are. Brix will pick me up and squeeze me and then put me back down.”

She admitted this particular hug was especially intimate — but not for the reasons people grossly assumed.

Wright said that game was special because Brixton wore a jersey emblazoned with the date of his dad’s death.

Brixton said his father died on April 4, 2021, so he wore the number “44.”

“He was feeling emotional, and I think as his mom, I’m his safe space,” Wright explained.

She shared that the hateful comments have been upsetting for her family, prompting Brixton to defend his mother.

Amber Wright has not been afraid to post daring photos. Photo: Instagram, @ambslund.

Amber Wright now has more than 30,000 followers. Photo: Instagram, @ambslund.

“My mom is my hero. I was just giving her a hug after the game and I did pick her up she did not jump on me. My moms been the only person there for me my whole life,” he wrote on Instagram on September 7.

“I grew up with an alcoholic dad who would just come and go when he wanted he was great when he was sober but he wasn’t he was just so dark and different. He Never really showed up to any of my games or anything like that my moms been to every single some since I’ve played.”

He went on to divulge heartbreaking details about his father.

“All it was was a big hug from me to her,” he said.

The Post has contacted Wright for comment.

— This story originally appeared on nypost.com and has been republished with permission