Arizona football will always remember June 20, 2015 as a day of infamy—the day that 19-year-old Andrew Valdez passed away from cystic fibrosis and liver complications.
For those who are unfamiliar with Valdez’s story, the “One Tough Cat” was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when he was just months old. Valdez struggled through constant hospital visits and the illness from that point on.
Valdez and his family never had it easy. His mother, Lorita, passed away in 2011. His father cared for him and his brother, with Valdez forced to help out around the house.
Despite these challenges, Valdez felt comfortable with Arizona football players.