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Texas-born Ezra Castro, who has been passionate about the Buffalo Bills for many years, has created a costumed character whom he nicknamed "Pancho Billa" and whose health battles have been fierce. month. Tuesday in the UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas after a long battle with cancer. He was 39 years old.
His death was announced by his family on Twitter on Tuesday morning.
"We lost our dear brother ezra & # 39; Pancho Billa & # 39; this morning," wrote the family. "We are grateful and grateful for all the love and support we received during this trip, and Ezra was surrounded by family and friends."
Mr. Castro, a Dallas resident born in El Paso, has often told that when he was a little boy, his father had told him that he had to choose a favorite football team. Proud of his Mexican-American heritage, he looked for teams in the colors of the red, white and green Mexican flag. The two choices were Bills and New England Patriots. Although his father and older brother, both named Jaime, are fans of the Dallas Cowboys, he chose the Bills.
He developed the character of "Pancho Billa", a play called Francisco "Pancho" Villa, famous Mexican revolutionary general. His elaborate costume finally included a large sombrero with a leather luchador mask, a serape poncho, a leather bandolier and arm guards, all in red, white and blue and adorned with the Bill's buffalo and slogan, " Viva Los Bills ".
For years, he had participated in several Bills games across the country, including the home opening game at Buffalo.
Kim Pegula, co-owner of Bills, said in a tweet: "Pancho was a pillar of strength and positive energy for me and for all. #BillsMafia. He was a great source of inspiration for our team. I had the chance to spend time with him and get to know his story. My heart goes to his children, his friends and his family. Viva Los Bills! "
A medical doctor and father of two children who did not smoke or drink alcohol, he was also president of the Bills Backers groups in Dallas / Fort Worth, which grew to about 700 people. Team supporters gather weekly for games, either at the Dallas Hideaway Bar & Grill or at Buff Bro's Fort Worth.
Pancho Billa on stage during the NFL draft in April 2018. (Image: Ezra Castro)
In early November 2017, while touring New York during Thursday night's Bills game against the Jets, Castro noticed that his left arm had become numb.
Our heart shattered after the loss of our dear brother ezra "Pancho Billa" this morning. We are grateful and grateful forever for all the love and support we have enjoyed during this trip. Ezra was surrounded by family and loved ones. At this moment, we ask for confidentiality when we mourn our loss.
– Pancho Billa (@ PanchoBilla1) May 14, 2019
In Texas, he went to a doctor, waiting for a diagnosis of pinched nerve or something minor. Instead, Mr. Castro heard what he called "the worst news of my life".
He had a cancerous tumor around the spine that had spread to his liver, lungs and lymph nodes.
The doctors wanted to intervene quickly, but Mr Castro postponed the operation until 19 November in order to be able to take away his 5-year-old son, Ginobili, named in honor of Manu Ginobili, long-time San star. Antonio Spurs, who plays in basketball, -Chargers game in California.
[RELATED: The pain, strength and unwavering passion of Pancho Billa]
Ginobili, called "Panchito" by his father, wore his own costume with a Batman mask and ears.
He suspended the operation to enjoy the day with his son because "I do not know if it's Bill's last game that I'll see or not," Castro said. After the game, where the Bills lost 54-24, his son said, "Dad, I loved every minute of this game."
On December 13, Mr. Castro was operated on, leaving a long scar between the neck and the shoulder blades. The doctors removed the mass and used cadaver bones to replace two weakened parts of the spine, he said.
In April 2018, The Bills announced to Mr. Castro that he would lead the delegation of the 50 Bills fans during the NFL draft in Dallas.
But they surprised Mr. Castro, who was then undergoing chemotherapy, calling Bills legends Andre Reed and Fred Jackson on stage to make Bills the third round of defensive tackle Harrison Phillips of Stanford. "Yeah, baby, Viva Los Bills!" Mr. Castro shouted in a husky voice.
This year, Mr. Castro was hospitalized on time. Bill's general manager, Brandon Beane, called his hospital room to serve as an intermediary in the way the team announced its first-round pick of the NFL in 2019.
On April 25, he entered a palliative care center. At the Southwestern Medical Center at the University of Texas, he said, "I just want the Mafia faction to continue praying and know how grateful I am and how I love it forever and how much I am honored to be honored Buffalonian for life. "
At the hospital, he sat under a Buffalo Bills blanket and a Bills flag was hanging from his intravenous arch.
On December 11, 2017, Katherine O & # Brien, neuropsychologist and cancer survivor, president of the Bills Backers of Houston, created a Go Fund Me page for Mr. Castro and his family. He has exceeded his goal of $ 30,000 and continues to climb.
Mr Castro leaves behind his longtime partner, Veronica Borjon; their son, Ginobili; a girl, Lourdes; his mother, Aurora Martinez; his father, Jaime Castro; and three brothers Jaime, Zenoc and Eli.
Pancho Billa, behind the mask: pain, strength and unwavering passion
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