California football player who’s battled cancer plays final game before undergoing chemo

Anthony Galaviz
·2 min read
10

When the final clock hit zero following Reedley and Roosevelt high school football game Friday, it signaled the last game for embattled senior Malachi Rios.

Emotions ran high for the Reedley star with Monday marking the start of chemotherapy treatment. Doctors recently found tumors in his lungs.

Doctors allowed Rios to play two games so he could enjoy being around his teammates.

Even though Rios had a bad shoulder during Friday’s game, he didn’t want to come out, Reedley coach Tony Gates said.

Playing perhaps his last ever football game just meant so much to Rios.

“He’ll remember fighting with his brothers to the end,” Gates said.

Following the game, teammates went up to Rios and gave him a hug and voiced support in his latest battle with cancer.

Reedley’s Malachi Rios carries a pirate flag into the stadium at the start of the game against Roosevelt, his last game before undergoing chemotherapy for a second time Friday night, Aug. 25, 2023 in Reedley.
Reedley’s Malachi Rios carries a pirate flag into the stadium at the start of the game against Roosevelt, his last game before undergoing chemotherapy for a second time Friday night, Aug. 25, 2023 in Reedley.

Dealing with cancer

Rios has battled cancer in 2022, with doctors finding a lump and removing it.

Valley Children’s Healthcare discovered he had stage four testicular cancer.

Small tumors also were located near his lungs and another near the stomach.

But just when it seemed Rios was recovering and declared to be in remission, a new danger surfaced.

Two days before that great fall practice performance, mom Jessica revealed on a GoFundMe post that Rios had CT scans and a blood test showed there might be new lung tumors.

A crowd of family, friends and supporters gathers to hug Reedley’s Malachi Rios after the game against Roosevelt Friday night, Aug. 25, 2023 in Reedley. Rios is going back to chemotherapy after the game.
A crowd of family, friends and supporters gathers to hug Reedley’s Malachi Rios after the game against Roosevelt Friday night, Aug. 25, 2023 in Reedley. Rios is going back to chemotherapy after the game.

It was heartbreak for all who’ve rooted for and supported Rios in his fight against cancer.

Gates, the Pirates football coach, reminded the Reedley community that though Rios faces a new challenge, he still has much fight in him.

“We’re not going to memorialize him,” Gates said. “We’re going to support him.

“You memorialize people that aren’t with you anymore. He’s going to fight it and he’s going to beat it.”

Eye on graduation

T-shirts have been made to show further support for Rios in his latest A show of support on T-shirts, too.

On the front of the shirt reads: “I’m fighting the good fight with Malachi Rios.”

On the back reads a Bible verse, 2 Corinthians 5:7. “Indeed. Our lives are guided by faith, not by sight.”

The Rios family said they will provide updates of Rios’ fight through GoFundMe.

A hashtag #MalachiStrong was posted on social media.

Gates said he’s looking forward to seeing Rios at graduation. Gates stood next to Rios and offered words.

“Thank you God for this opportunity, giving my my senior year,” Rios said. “Thank you for just always having my back and thank you Coach Gates for just giving me my best football experience I’ve ever had these four years.”

Family, friends and supporters gather and take turns hugging Reedley’s Malachi Rios after the game against Roosevelt Friday night, Aug. 25, 2023 in Reedley. Rios will be undergoing chemotherapy for the second time after this game.
Family, friends and supporters gather and take turns hugging Reedley’s Malachi Rios after the game against Roosevelt Friday night, Aug. 25, 2023 in Reedley. Rios will be undergoing chemotherapy for the second time after this game.
Reedley’s Malachi Rios runs to the sidelines for the start of the game against Roosevelt Friday night, Aug. 25, 2023 in Reedley.
Reedley’s Malachi Rios runs to the sidelines for the start of the game against Roosevelt Friday night, Aug. 25, 2023 in Reedley.
Reedley’s Malachi Rios, left, celebrates Adrian Morales’ two point conversion, right, against Roosevelt Friday night, Aug. 25, 2023 in Reedley.
Reedley’s Malachi Rios, left, celebrates Adrian Morales’ two point conversion, right, against Roosevelt Friday night, Aug. 25, 2023 in Reedley.
Reedley’s Malachi Rios, center, blocks Roosevelt’s Giovani Barrera, left, as Reedley’s Demetrius Vargas, right, runs the ball Friday night, Aug. 25, 2023 in Reedley.
Reedley’s Malachi Rios, center, blocks Roosevelt’s Giovani Barrera, left, as Reedley’s Demetrius Vargas, right, runs the ball Friday night, Aug. 25, 2023 in Reedley.