Outpouring of support for Segerstrom linebacker Israel Escobedo as he battles leukemia

Segerstrom junior Israel Escobedo (No. 5) was joined by from left Reymundo Garcia, assistant coach Raymond Avalos and Saul Ramirez before the season. (Photo courtesy Segerstrom football, For OC Sports Zone)

Segerstrom High junior Israel Escobedo was looking forward to starting at inside linebacker for the Jaguars’ varsity football team after working hard in the off-season to get himself ready for the challenge.

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All indications were he was ready and capable.

But Escobedo’s football plans were put on hold after he was diagnosed with leukemia a week before the team’s scrimmage, according to Jaguars head coach Joseph Tagaloa.

The news about the personable Escobedo, known for his work ethic and positive attitude and the way he cared for his teammates, stunned the players and coaching staff and Segerstrom student body and community.

“It obviously shocked everybody because he had been working so hard during the off-season preparing to start and even when he found out it was almost like it wasn’t real,” Tagaloa said. “He felt fine and he was out here working.

“Then, it hit home once we were lining up and he wasn’t out here with us. It was very hard for most of us to even think about him not playing because he’s such a great kid who has worked so hard to be ready for the season. Unfortunately he gets the bad news that he’s not going to be able to play this year.”

After blood tests before the first scrimmage, Escobedo’s family learned of the diagnosis, Tagaloa said.

“It was a Wednesday when they told him that in fact he had leukemia,”Tagaloa said. “They admitted him Wednesday and he stayed the rest of that week (at CHOC) and into the weekend, trying to figure out how they were going to treat it. We’re obviously saddened by the situation, but also very supportive and we believe he will be back out here with us sooner than later.”

Escobedo was released to go home from CHOC last Saturday and had chemotheraphy as part of his treatment, Tagaloa said.

“I went to his home on Monday night, we visited,” Tagaloa said. “He was suffering a little nausea from the chemo but other than that, he looks good, he’s in good spirits. I guess, he has one of the most treatable types of leukemia. Based on what he was told by the doctors, they caught it early and he has a strain that is most commonly and easily treated.”

The 6-1 220-pound Escobedo was in the thoughts and prayers of Segerstrom fans at Friday night’s opener against Bell Gardens, which Segerstrom won 42-0. The letters OJ and the number 5 (Escobedo’s number) were painted on the Segerstrom logo on the hill overlooking the campus field and all the fans were asked wear orange.

“We’re dedicating the season for OJ,” said center-defensive tackle Angel Berrum.

Escobedo has been with the program since his freshman year, when he got the nickname OJ, although Tagaloa isn’t sure how he got it. It just stuck and everyone has called him OJ since, Tagaloa said.

“He started both ways for our freshman team at inside linebacker and tight end,” Tagaloa said. “As a sophomore he played on our varsity team getting reps on special teams until he eventually earned a starting spot at inside linebacker.

“He is an amazing kid who always brings an intensity to practice and the weight room that is contagious. Israel is respected and loved by his teammates. His work ethic is second to none which is why I know I can always count on him to be ready.”

His teammates played their hearts out for the fallen teammate Friday and have been encouraging him since his diagnosis.

Tuesday evening after practice, seven of the players, representing the squad, said they are dedicating the season to him and said how much he meant to them.

Reymundo Garcia, middle linebacker, tight end: “OJ was a real part of our family. To me, he was like my little brother because he’s a linebacker. So when we heard about the news, seeing another brother go down, we have to be there for everyone and especially be there for OJ. We’re trying to play the season for him and try to represent Segerstrom in what he did for us. We miss him. We found out before our first scrimmage against Fullerton before practice and it was hard for the team but we try to stick together and help each other out and be there for each other.”

Angel Vega, quarterback: “When we found out the news, the whole team was down and praying for him because we thought he was going to be a big help to our team this year. Then him going down, it just motivated us. He’s a brother to us and he’s one of my closest frends since freshman year because we’re in the same grade and we are close friends. I text him every day to ask him how he’s doing. He said he’s doing better and he went home.”

Angel Berrum, center, defensive tackle: “Honestly, this sport is about brotherhood and when you see one of your other brothers go down, it hurts deep down. It’s like family, we’re all family here and when one of us goes down, it sparks something inside of us to make us push forward so we’re using OJ as a flame to push forward to win every game. We’re playing for him.”

Iverson Fuiava, wide receiver, free safety: “He’s one of our brothers. When we found out it was hard to believe at first, because it’s not every day one of your closest friends or brothers gets cancer and when it hit us, it hit pretty hard. It’s so weird not seeing him on the field smiling with us and playing because every day in the locker-room I would see him and he had a big smile on his face. It’s hard to come out here every day and not see it. He will do anything for us and we will do anything for him. I dedicate the season, all my touchdowns to him.”

Pablo Flores, defensive tackle, guard: “I’ve known him since my freshman year. We’ve both been together starting on defense. He motivated me in the game, when we would be down, he would say, ‘come on Pablo, hit that gap.’ We would fire each other up and I was looking forward to playing with OJ this season and when we found out he had cancer, that put everybody down, but we’ve got to be stronger.”

Andrew Schouw, wide receiver, cornerback: “It was really tough when we first found out. I feel we all became closer as a team. He’s been on our minds since the day we found out. It’s been tough for certain people, it’s been tough for all of us. But I feel together we’ve just become stronger. We pray for him every day and we’re dedicating our season to him. I looked up to him his work ethic and the way he walked around with a smile on his face. The day we found out, I messaged him privately and told him he’s in our prayers, him and his family, and I’m always going to be by his side.”

Jacob Rodriguez, running back, free safety: “OJ really means a lot to our team. When we found out about his illness, I remember that day. We were all in the huddle and coach started talking to us. We didn’t think it would be news like this, our own member on the team was going to have cancer. When we found out, everyone walked off the field in tears. That whole entire week, I’m pretty sure he had more than a thousand supporters at the school and all over Instagram and all over the pages. It was all about him and everyone was here to support him. This next game, we’re planning to have a prayer, both teams, Segerstrom and Godinez, and we’re just hoping the best for him.”

Tagaloa said that Escobedo is following how the team does. Prospects for Segestrom are high this year. The Jaguars are ranked No. 1 in this week’s CIF Division 10 poll and it’s clear they plan make Escobedo a big part of the season even though he won’t be on the field.

Segerstrom faces crosstown rival Godinez Friday night at Segerstrom in a game that traditionally sells out. Godinez will be the home team.

“We have towels with his initials on it, we got helmet decals with his initials,” Tagaloa said.

In addition, the team is selling bracelets and asking for donations to help the Escobedo family, Tagaloa said.

“Every home game we have donations for him, we were very fortunate enough to get almost $500 of donations from just students within a week for his family,” the coach said. “We’re doing whatever we can to help out.”

The family has also started a GoFundMe page to help defray medical expenses, Tagaloa said.

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com