It is with great sadness that we report that passing of 26-year-old wide receiver Rafael Hildago, formerly of Spain’s Badalona Dracs.
The young American, born in Brooklyn, New York, apparently suffered a heart attack in Mexico while with the Los Pioneros de Corregidora, who play in Mexico’s FAM-YOX league.
We are saddened to hear the of the passing of former Lobo Rafael Hidalgo. Ralph played from 2016-18 as a WR after a JC career as a QB. He went from walk-on to earning a scholarship and was a part of the 2016 Gildan New Mexico Bowl winning team (1) #GoLobos pic.twitter.com/gJW1HXSs9n
— New Mexico Football (@UNMLoboFB) April 18, 2022
Hidalgo played wide receiver at the University of New Mexico and was a star at Hudson Valley Junior College where he led the team to a bowl game. He lettered in football at Lane High School, quarterbacking his team to the 2013 New York state title.
Hidalgo was one of 11 siblings.
Lamentamos profundamente informaros que nuestro ex jugador y compañero Rafael Hidalgo, de 26 años ,ha fallecido esta pasada noche en México a causa de un infarto.
Son momentos muy duros para toda nuestra familia Dracs.
Un fuerte abrazo a la familia
Descansa en paz amigo. pic.twitter.com/eaQJMMy2DI— Lidertel Badalona Dracs (@BDN_Dracs) April 18, 2022
A GoFundMe page has been created for Hidalgo.
The message on the GoFundMe page reads as follows:
“If you knew or got to meet Rafael, you knew and understood the bright life he led. Life of the party is an understatement, and he made it his duty to show all of his friends and family unconditional love however he could.”
The message on the page closes with:
“Due to Rafael passing in Mexico, all proceeds of this GoFundMe will go to costs related to transporting his remains back to the United States and all funeral costs.”