Yahoo News 21-Year-Old College Athlete Becomes Legal Guardian of 4 of His Siblings After Mom's Breast Cancer Death
Armorion Smith, who plays football for the Michigan State Spartans, says he knows "how proud she is of me"
AP Photo/Al Goldis
Michigan State defensive back Armorion SmithFootball player Armorion Smith has a lot on his mind these days as he balances playing for the Michigan State Spartans and taking care of his younger siblings following the recent death of their mother.
“I can feel her living through me,” Armorion, 21, a defensive back, recently told the Associated Press about his late mother, Gala Gilliam, who died from breast cancer last month. “Almost like I hear her voice telling me how proud she is of me.”
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According to a GoFundMe established to help her and her family, Gilliam was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in October 2022.
“Gala has since had 2 major surgeries and many setbacks, including blood clots, infections, and a decline in her daily function due to the progression of her cancer, which has majorly affected her liver function," read a description on the fundraiser, which was written prior to her death.
“Gala is a single mother of 6 children ranging from 2 years of age to 21 years of age and provisions are being made for the care of her children in her absence," the description added. "Gala’s main focus and motivation to continue to work and fight since day one has been her kids.”
Almost two years later, on Aug. 8, 2024, Gilliam died at the age of 41. She was survived by sons Armorion, Armond, 16, Avaugn, 15, and Arial, 11, as well as daughters Aleion, 19, and Amaira, 2.
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Armorion, who grew up in Detroit, played for two years at the University of Cincinnati. Following his mother’s cancer diagnosis, Armorion transferred to Michigan State in 2023 to be near his family.
“I was broken,” Armorion later told NBC affiliate WILX about first learning of his mother’s diagnosis. “I was lost. I didn't know what to do.”
“I always told her since I was a child,” he added, “‘No matter what I do, whatever opportunity I get, I’m gonna take it, and I’m gonna make the best of out it, so I can put you in a position where you don’t have to worry about nothing.’ ”
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On Sept. 11, Armorion became the legal guardianship of his four youngest siblings, per the AP.
While Armorion spends his days mostly at Michigan State and playing for the Spartans – who are currently 3-1 this season under new head coach Jonathan Smith – his 19-year-old sister Aleion is helping to take care of their siblings.
“Me and my sister got to work together to keep this all afloat,” Armorion told the news agency. “While I’m in college sports, she’s got to be able to take care of everything that I can’t do, like pick up where I left off, while I’m taking care of business.”
As of Monday, Sept. 23, the GoFundMe has generated over $70,000. The financial support that Armorion and his siblings have received has been used for their living expenses, the AP reported — and Michigan State’s student assistance fund has also helped.
“It’s really a blessing,” he told WILX in July about the online campaign. “I genuine appreciate the Spartan Nation and their help and their support.”
PEOPLE contacted Armorion Smith via Michigan State University for additional comment on Sept. 23.
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