BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Ravens won't have fans at Sunday's season opener, but the team made sure the memory of its 14-year-old superfan will be present at M&T Bank Stadium.
To honor the memory of Mo Gaba, the Ravens painted the "MO" in Baltimore in one end zone in gold and filled an entire section of seats with 575 photo cutouts of him.
Gaba died from cancer on July 28 at age 14. A frequent caller on a sports talk-radio show, Gaba became an inspirational figure for players on the Ravens and Orioles for his positive attitude and selflessness.
"It's hard to believe my son left behind a legacy just by being himself," his mother, Sonsy, said in a video produced by the Ravens' website. "I miss him, but I'm so proud."
Last year at the NFL draft, Gaba made history by becoming the first person to announce a selection off a card written in braille. At a practice, Gaba got to call a play in the huddle -- which resulted in a Lamar Jackson touchdown pass.
Gaba died six weeks ago in the midst of his fourth battle with cancer, but his impact on the Baltimore sports community has lasted. After announcing there would be no fans for the initial part of the 2020 season because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Ravens received so many requests from fans to incorporate Mo in the cutouts that they filled Section 146, which has officially been named "Mo's Rows."
In the end zone right in front of those pictures of Mo, the Ravens decided to change how they painted "Baltimore." All the letters would get painted white except for "MO."
Sonsy put the final brush strokes of gold paint on her son's name in the end zone.
"Seeing his name in the end zone at this game is going to be a great moment," Sonsy said.
