Late Ravens, Orioles Superfan Mo Gaba Remembered On His Birthday

GLEN BURNIE, MD — Maryland on Wednesday remembered Mo Gaba, a late Ravens and Orioles superfan, on what would've been his 16th birthday. The Glen Burnie resident was known for his infectious personality despite his loss of eyesight and four bouts with cancer.

The Baltimore sports world shared its fondest memories this week. Mo's school system also honored him with perseverance awards in his honor.

The sports community first rallied around the child in 2015 after he started calling into radio talk shows on 105.7 The Fan as a 9-year-old. Mo developed deep relationships with the station's hosts, especially Jeremy Conn.

"He accomplished more in a short period of time than most of us will in our lifetime," tweeted Conn, who co-hosted a special talk show with Mo. "He’s the best human being I have ever met, you changed my life for the better. I miss you everyday and I will continue to push positivity and making everyday a win."

Both of Baltimore's major sports teams welcomed Mo with open arms.

Mo announced the Ravens' fourth-round draft pick in 2019, becoming the first person to read an NFL selection written Braille. The Ravens also hosted Mo at practice later that year where he met Ben Powers, the offensive guard that he drafted.

The team paid tribute to Mo after he died in July 2020 at age 14. It decorated a section of M&T Bank Stadium with cardboard cutouts of Mo when games were closed to fans.

The Ravens additionally colored in the "MO" of the word "BALTIMORE" painted in one endzone. That honor continued through the Ravens' 2021 season. Three blocks of West Street near the Ravens' stadium were similarly commemorated as Mo Gaba Way in late 2020.

The Orioles shared that same love for Mo.

The Baltimore icon was a special guest at the Orioles' 2015 FanFest. He also threw out the ceremonial first pitch on Kids' Opening Day in 2017, and he shouted "Play ball!" at the same event two years later.

In 2019, PressBox named Mo the Sportsperson of the Year. The Orioles inducted him into their Hall of Fame in 2020.

The squad also named Mo the second-ever recipient of the Wild Billy Hagy Award, which remembers the team's first superfan. Mo's favorite Oriole, first basemen Trey Mancini, cheered him on after the award announcements.

Sonsy Gaba, Mo's mother, threw out the first pitch to Mancini on the one-year anniversary of her son's death. Mancini hit a home run in that game and waved to Mo's mom in the stands.

"Mo never lost his kind spirit, his sense of humor, or his love of the Orioles," Mancini said in a 2020 press release. "His tremendous courage and unwavering positivity in the face of such challenging circumstances have made him an inspiration to me and so many others."

The Orioles and the Ravens united for a June 2020 parade to celebrate Mo's eighth-grade graduation from Lindale Middle School.

The school remembered Mo with an awards ceremony on the eve of what would've been his Sweet 16. Lindale gave the inaugural Mo Gaba award to Andrew Henn, Mo's best friend since kindergarten and a current North County High School student.

The next day, Anne Arundel County Public Schools announced the first winners of its Mo Gaba Positivity and Perseverance Award. After evaluating more than 50 nominees, these students earned the honor for their inspiring demeanors:

• Ari Jarrett of Pasadena Elementary School
• Gianna Bonnett of Jacobsville Elementary School
• Selena Houck of Southern Middle School
• Lauryn Wilson of Meade High School

The Board of education will recognize the winners at its meeting next Wednesday. Their schools will each get a banner and $500 to host an initiative that promotes kindness and positivity. The 21st Century Education Foundation sponsored the grants.

"Health challenges never defeated his intellectual brilliance, positive attitude, fun-loving spirit, or his ability to make others smile and marvel at his resilience," AACPS said in a press release. "In honor of this courageous student who physically left us too soon, the Mo Gaba Power of Positivity and Perseverance Award seeks to uphold Mo’s legacy by recognizing students who embody those characteristics."

RELATED:

• 3 Blocks In Baltimore Dedicated To Mo Gaba
• Mo Gaba Dies At 14, Described As 'Bright Light'

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