BALTIMORE (WMAR) — Ravens-Orioles superfan Mo Gaba's legacy lives on just blocks from one of his favorite places.
W. West St., which leads directly to the Ravens stadium, is now Mo Gaba Way, a physical reminder of the impact Mo had on so many people.
"What he has done and how many people he has touched in 14 years of his life, I couldn’t be any more proud," said Mo's mom Sonsy Gaba.
Sonsy, wiping away tears, seeing Mo’s name turned into a street sign for all to see.
"I love it. This is everything," said Sonsy.
14-year-old Mo Gaba became one of the most well-known Ravens-Orioles superfans. He died in July after a lengthy battle with cancer.
"He just wanted to live every day like it’s the best day of his life," said Sonsy.
Mo became enormously popular during his calls to 105.7 the Fan to talk sports, and he bonded with players and coaches on his visits to Ravens practices.
He became the first person to announce an NFL draft pick in braille in 2019.
"It’s not often that you say the Orioles and the Ravens have become family but they've become family to me and I could never thank them enough for what they did," said Sonsy.
Through it all, he displayed tremendous courage in his fight against cancer. 'Mo Strong' became his thing.
"It’s not a hashtag. It’s not a t-shirt. It’s a way of life. And so today we stand on Mo Gaba’s Way to say that very day we can and will be winners," said his pastor, Bishop Eric Wright.
Before this year's season-opener, the Ravens honored Gaba with a “Mo's Rows” section at the stadium featuring cardboard cutouts of Gaba. Sonsy, helped paint “BaltimMOre” in one of the end zones, with “MO” in capital letters.
Mo's close friend, Jeremy Conn of 105.7 the Fan, worked with former Baltimore City Councilman Joe DiBlasi, to make Mo Gaba Way become a reality.
"Today truly is a day for giving thanks for the life and courageous spirit of Mo Gaba," said DiBlasi, reading remarks from Gov. Larry Hogan.
Hogan issued a proclamation for Mo Gaba Way Day, December 2. And it just so happened to be the day of a Ravens game.
"I think this is a great way to carry on his legacy," said Conn.
"His thing is just smile. If the street sign makes you smile then that would make him happy," said Sonsy.
This is just one of the many ways they are honoring Mo. Next month, they will sell talking bobble heads and the proceeds will go towards pediatric cancer research.
