At just 10 years old, Cade Spinello signed his letter of intent with the UCLA Bruins football team in the locker room last Saturday to the sound of applause from other recruits and his supporters.
As UCLA Head Coach Jim Mora presented Cade with the letter and a scholarship days before National Signing Day, the newest recruit, who is battling cancer, couldn't keep a rare, full smile off his face. Even the right side of his face, which was paralyzed by a stroke years ago, was smiling.
.@UCLAFootball is incredibly excited to announce the official signing of 5 star recruit Cade Spinello!! #8CLAP #NEGU pic.twitter.com/wI1UecelTY — Patrick Girardi (@pgirardiUCLA) January 30, 2016
"If there's a smile from his heart, it's symmetrical," said Mike Spinello, Cade's father. "It's ear-to-ear, a true smile from his heart. He loved it, loved being around that.
"Seeing him in that locker room sign that with everyone around and clapping was just incredible."
Cade's mother, Erin Spinello, has a hard time finding the right words to explain what the experience meant for her family.
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"I was overcome with so many emotions," she said. "I wanted to soak in the moment ..."
As Erin Spinello sees it, Mora and the Jessie Rees Foundation, which supports kids fighting cancer, "made his dreams come true."
Cade's recruitment comes as no surprise, after several visits over the past few years allowed the boy who wears a jersey that says "SuperCade" to develop relationships with Mora and the rest of the team.
"Coach Mora makes him feel like a star," said Mike Spinello.
When Cade sees football players falling down during practice, getting back up and pushing their limits, he can relate.
To Cade's mother, her boy is a warrior and a college-level athlete.
"It's like he is an athlete already in the sense that he works out in the morning, goes to school and he works out again," she said.
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Two weeks before signing with the Bruins, Cade asked his mom, "You know the reason I'm doing this, right? I'm going to play football at UCLA!"
His commitment to UCLA runs deep. Erin recounted Cade saying, "I don't know why all the other guys didn't say yes right away. This is the most amazing school ever!"
Being recruited by the Bruins is hardly Cade's biggest achievement.
Five years ago, Cade had just suffered from a stroke after a second surgery that removed Cade's tumor. Ever since, he has been healing through daily therapy sessions that help him move and speak like he could before.
Now 5-foot-1 and 69 pounds, Cade is doing better than ever.
He is currently listed as a five-star prospect quarterback from Mission Viejo on Bruin Report Online. Though his brain tumor shows signs of "waking up," according to his dad, doctors say there are no signs of growth.
Cade is "still in the middle of the fight," his father said.
But that doesn't stop the fourth grader from living his life to the fullest.
"Cade can do whatever he puts his mind to," his mom said.
Added dad: "He doesn't complain. He understands his story and where he's come from."
He's not letting cancer get in the way of his normal activities, which include juggling school with stroke recovery therapy or doctor's visits, practicing with the team and putting on a school performance of "Beauty and the Beast."
"We went right from the locker room to the play," said his dad. "He's been rehearsing for five months. Two hours later after being at the Rose Bowl, he was dressed as a doorknob."
Cade "definitely considers himself a Bruin," and the Spinellos will show their Bruin pride by attending UCLA practices in the spring.
Supporters can donate and follow Cade's progress on his CaringBridge page.
