He wasn’t the starting quarterback, but there’s no doubt he was the team’s star player.
The La Mirada High School football family mourns the loss of one of their MVPs, Dante Angulo.
When it comes to winning, sometimes a team’s MVP isn’t the one who scores the most points, but rather the one who inspires the most.
“The coach, he said, ‘I just want you to know that the whole season will be dedicated to your son,'” said Chaya Angulo, his mother. “They haven’t lost a single game.”
If there’s a hero in La Mirada High School football history, it’s Dante.
“Not showing up for a game wasn’t an option. He had to be there for the team, the team had to do well for him,” said Sol Angulo, his brother.
Former soccer coach Mike Moschetti credits the 28-year-old La Mirada High School graduate with guiding her to two CIF championship victories.
“If you were an average player you become good, if you were a good player you became great,” said Moschetti.
His inspiration was even documented in a short film. Despite being wheelchair bound and unable to play, Dante could still be found on the field.
“We later found out he had autism when he was 11 or 12, then we found out he would eventually be in a wheelchair,” Chaya said. “So this terrible disease progresses, robbing us of the people we love.”
Dante was only given a life expectancy of several years. He lived until he was 28 years old, passed away on Saturday and left a huge hole in everyone’s hearts.
“We saw him take his last breath. We told him how much we love him and how much we will miss him and what it was,” Chaya said.
On Wednesday, Dante’s mother was his coach for the first time since Dante’s death.
Moschetti recalled why he made Dante an honorary player years ago.
“He was always smiling and laughing,” said Moschetti. “I just couldn’t believe this kid, a pint is walking normally and the next thing you know he’s in a wheelchair and his body is failing him.”
He says Dante inspired him to the end, both on and off the field.
The coach hopes to create a grant in Dante’s name so his legacy lives on.
“As long as I live, I will use him as motivation,” said Moschetti.
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