Omogbo leads Rams year after death of parents in house fire

In this Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016, photo, a tribute written in marker is shown on the heel cap of the right shoe worn by Colorado State forward Emmanuel Omogbo during the team's NCAA college basketball game against Kansas State in Denver. Omogbo has dedicated the heel cap on his right shoe to his parents' names, Samson and Caroline, and the heel cap of his left shoe to his sister's twins' names, Israel and Anna. The four died in a house fire in Maryland on Jan. 19, 2016. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) In this Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016, photo, a tribute written in marker is shown on the heel cap of the right shoe worn by Colorado State forward Emmanuel Omogbo during the team's NCAA college basketball game against Kansas State in Denver. Omogbo has dedicated the heel cap on his right shoe to his parents' names, Samson and Caroline, and the heel cap of his left shoe to his sister's twins' names, Israel and Anna. The four died in a house fire in Maryland on Jan. 19, 2016. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

By Associated Press December 23, 2016 5 min read

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) – Colorado State senior Emmanuel Omogbo’s right basketball shoe is a dedication to his parents, their names written in black marker with “RIP” alongside. The left one, a tribute to his niece and nephew.

On both, the date – “1-19-2016.”

It’s approaching a year since a house fire back in Maryland claimed the lives of his parents, Samson and Caroline, along with his sister’s 2-year-old twins, Anna and Israel.

This season is for them – “my four little angels, protecting me at all times,” he explained. It’s also for his coach and teammates, too, who comforted him through his heartache. And for the fans, which raised more than $100,000 for expenses through a GoFundMe account.

The “Thank-You” season – that’s what he’s calling it. That’s also why he didn’t transfer back East to be closer to his four sisters and two brothers. He needed to be here, in Fort Collins.