Boston Pop Warner Players Honor Teammate Who Took His Own Life
BOSTON (CBS) - An undefeated Hyde Park Pop Warner team is vying for the national championship in honor of a teammate who took his own life after being a victim of bullying.
Ambrose "Junior" Ojimba, 14, died just two weeks before the start of this season. His friend and teammate Josh Ehikhamhen says it has been difficult to understand. "I think about him every day, I still cry and miss him. Why him of all people."
Ehikhamhen was one of the last to see Junior who said he was going to the playing field to work out. His brother, Oby Ojimba, says the always smiling Junior held the pain within, leaving the family with many questions. "Where could we have done better and actually do better now for people around us and people who aren't directly connected to us."
The team plays with heart but Junior is now their soul. Coach Danny Diaz says it has the most difficult life lesson for his team. "When they see any type of bullying they nip it in the bud right away. It's gotten them closer, almost treating each other like brothers and sisters."
Some of the players were invited to join the varsity teams at their high schools, but made the decision to stay with the Pop Warner Cowboys this season to honor Junior. One team member, quarterback Winston DeLeon, says it was the right decision for him. "I just thought about how he loved football and what he would want us to do."
Winning will be everything for this team which plays in the regionals this Sunday, and then hopes to go the nationals in Orlando, Florida. "It shakes me up, I get goosebumps," said Oby Ojimba. "The love being poured out by these guys is incredible."
