Organ Mountain football captain, Abe Romero, remembered by loved ones

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico --Hundreds of Las Crucens attended the services for Abe Romero, the Organ Mountain football player who died last week.

Romero was the team captain and had been placed in a medically induced coma for three weeks after collapsing while on the field during a game against Deming in late August. 

The community gathered to say their final goodbyes to Romero, who was described as the "heart of the team". His teammates carried his casket today with heavy hearts. Crowds of mourners looked on as Romero was moved to his final resting place. His teammates were the pallbearers lifting his casket into the hearse. His grandfather delivered the eulogy.

"Because of my grandson, Abraham Romero. A young man who gave it his all, a young man who demonstrated his love to all of humanity, that is why right now, we are seeing the fruit of his love that paralyzed all of Las Cruces," said Jesus Alonzo Romero's grandfather.

“He would always write me letters, notes. He was just always loving,' said Cicilia Salinas Romero's girlfriend. "I had no words but throughout the whole thing, I had lots of faith for him. He was gonna get better and here we are, but I know he’s watching over us".

“We only have one life here and we are not eternal. We don’t know when we are going to die," said Alonzo.

His loved ones promised to keep his memory alive.

"Just be strong and keep moving forward. To do good in school. He always told me every morning that he was proud of me and that I just need to stay on track, keep my grades up, so I'm gonna do that for him", said Salinas  “You’re forever in our hearts and I love you".

The community held a flag while at Romero's services. It was teal and black. on one side, the name Abe. The other, number 22. His loved ones honored his life and love for the game.