Anne Arundel County Schools Celebrate Mo Gaba Day

GLEN BURNIE, Md. (WJZ) -- Anne Arundel County Public Schools are celebrating Mo Gaba Day Tuesday, named after an inspirational Maryland child on what would have been his 15th birthday.

Mo Gaba, was a Baltimore sports superfan from Glen Burnie who inspired many around the Baltimore area. He gained attention after he started calling into 105.7 The Fan beginning in 2015 to share his sports knowledge with listeners.

Gaba, who was just 14 years old when he died in June 2020, battled bone cancer most of his life, starting when he was just nine months old. He was also blind.

In 2019, he became the first person to announce an NFL draft pick written in Braille.

In an emotional video, AACPS shared Mo's legacy.

"Today is Anne Arundel County Public Schools' inaugural Mo Gaba Day, celebrating the qualities that made Mo an inspiration. They are qualities that so many of our students possess and which we hope to continue to foster in them every day," the school system tweeted.

Students watched the video Tuesday as they discussed the characteristics that made Gaba special, qualities like "What does it mean to persevere, what does it mean to be brave, what does it mean to be optimistic and talking about that and sharing experiences with each other?" schools spokesperson Bob Mosier said.

Starting next year, the school system will give out Mo Gaba awards to one elementary, middle and high school student who exemplify the qualities of Mo Gaba.

After his death, the Baltimore Ravens honored his life with a section called Mo's Rows at the games during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Baltimore Orioles also inducted him into their Hall of Fame just hours before his death. He was also inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

In December 2020, a three-block radius near M&T Bank Stadium and Camden Yards was named Mo Gaba Way after the inspirational teen.

Read more about Mo's life here.

In:
• Cancer
• Anne Arundel County