Youth football field honors life of teammate fatally struck by vehicle in Austin

CHICAGO (WGN) — Young football players gathered together on Tuesday to remember their fallen teammate by celebrating the short yet impactful life of their friend with a balloon release and vigil.

Nine-year-old Anakin Perez, a fourth-grade student at Ronald E. McNair Elementary School, died the morning of Thursday, Sept. 18, after being hit by a car in Austin. Perez played for the Oriole Falcons 9U football team. On the same field in which they played football, Perez’s teammates embraced his family.

“We’re here to accept all the love and support because we need it. We’re weak right now. Without him, we feel lost,” said Anna Perez, the aunt of Anakin Perez.

The team’s head coach, Sam Filpi, recalled Perez’s infectious energy.

“Anakin was always laughing, always wanted to catch the ball, be the wide receiver, always, ‘Throw me the ball, throw me the ball,'” Filpi said. “He was fun to coach because he had that happy-go-lucky look on his face and his actions too.”

The night before Perez’s death, the team gathered at Oriole Park for a pizza party. The youth football team also played a game on Sunday at Wheeling High School, where attendees observed a moment of silence in honor of Perez’s passing. One of Perez’s friends and teammates also wore his number in tribute.

“I don’t know how a nine-year-old can handle things like this,” Filpi said. “I really don’t.”

It’s the second tragedy this program has faced in recent years. 

In August 2022, Thomas Dobosz, his wife, four children, and his daughter’s oldest friend were involved in a fatal crash on Interstate-90 near Hampshire, hit by a wrong-way driver. 

Thomas was the lone survivor but died several days later from his injuries. 

Lauren Dobosz was a cheer coach, and her oldest daughter was a Falcons cheerleader. Their son also played football. 

“You just can’t get over it,” Filpi said. “The Dobosz, it was a whole family. This is a nine-year-old child. You feel for his mom, and that’s what hurts me the most, talking to the mom, seeing the mom, it hurts me.”

Filpi added that the football team will continue to play on in Anakin Perez’s honor. A GoFundMe to cover funeral expenses has raised more than $13,000 as of Tuesday evening.

“You guys continue to make him proud,” said Anna Perez. “Know that he’s out there with you guys in your hearts in your souls.”