UT’s Dalton Santos Raring to Go After Mother’s Surgery
KLTV in Tyler reported today that Longhorn linebacker Dalton Santos is already back at it, lifting, running, and getting his mind right at a training center in Tyler in preparation for his junior season at Texas. His spring could have been very different without the help of his supporters.
Back in April, Dalton found out his mother, Vista Santos, needed heart surgery. Because she doesn’t have health insurance, the situation looked dire. Then he took to Twitter, directing his followers to a YouCaring page he had set up for her. After the initial goal of $5,000 was met, he raised the amount, and his nearly 4,600 Twitter followers helped get the word out.
The Santos family was overwhelmed by the outpouring of funds from friends, family, and fans, which the Texas Compliance office deemed permissible under NCAA bylaws.
“It’s amazing what people have done and how they came together for my family,” Santos told KLTV. “Just reaching out to us to help us. I can’t even fathom it. It’s incredible.”
Thanks to the more than $69,000 raised for the procedure, Vista Santos was able to undergo life-saving surgery on May 1 for the repair of an aortic aneurysm. She’s now back home and doing well—as is her son, who was optimistic about Charlie Strong’s leadership this fall.
“I think guys are feeding off what he’s bringing to the program,” he told KLTV. “I’d watch out for us. Them Texas Longhorns are going to be pretty dang good.”
Watch KLTV’s video below.
KLTV.com-Tyler, Longview, Jacksonville, Texas | ETX News
Image courtesy of UT Athletics
