Playing, staying tough for ill dad

With each 200-yard rushing game and each kickoff return for a touchdown, Ramses Hernandez of Los Angeles Fairfax builds a case that he’s one of the best football players in the City Section. Behind the scenes, he’s a 17-year-old senior trying to make his father proud by staying focused while his dad battles throat cancer.

“I think about him all the time,” Hernandez said. “It taught me anything can happen at any moment, and you have to be aware of the obstacles in life and you have to get through them.”

Everything changed in March, when Hernandez came home from a long, tiring practice and was greeted by his father as soon as he walked through the door.

“He said, ‘Son, I have something to tell you. It’s not the best news, but I was diagnosed with cancer.’ My heart dropped and I thought the world would end right there,” Hernandez said.

Father and son started to cry.

So began a family ordeal that has tested everyone’s faith but also shown the dedication of loved ones determined to rely on each other.

With a wife, four sons and a daughter, Ron Hernandez, a construction worker, was considered the indestructible one, a 219-pound man full of strength. Since undergoing radiation treatments and chemotherapy, he’s lost 70 pounds.

“I’m a strong individual, and for me to show any weakness was devastating for them,” he said.

Football has been the escape for father and son.

“I coached Ramses since he was 4,” Ron said. “I can’t put into words to describe the feelings I get seeing my son. He’s just relentless.”

Ramses can’t wait until after each game to receive a hug from his father.

“That makes me happy,” Ramses said.

A 5-foot-81⁄2, 180-pound senior with 4.5 40-yard speed, Hernandez has been earning respect from opposing coaches. He had 202 yards rushing against Roosevelt, 207 yards rushing against Carson and 191 yards against Chatsworth. He has 661 yards rushing and eight touchdowns in four games. He has returned two kickoffs for touchdowns.

“He’s one of the best running backs we’ve faced since I’ve been coaching,” Chatsworth Coach Andrew Kim said. “He’s fast and doesn’t want to go down.”

Fairfax Coach Shane Cox said: “Rarely do you see one guy take him down in the open field because he runs so hard and with so much passion. A lot of times you’ll think he’s done and he’s not and he breaks the long run.”

Ron Hernandez continues to make progress. “Everything is way better,” he said. “I can see light at the end of the tunnel. It was very dark. I can drink water. I can eat certain things.”

Next month, he’s expected to return to the doctor for more tests. Meanwhile, Ramses will continue to move forward, because that’s what his father wants him to do.

“My dad always taught me to be strong, be powerful, be a man,” he said. “The name Hernandez is prideful. He’s taught me through this experience to not give up, and fight for whatever it takes.”

The dad is proud of his youngest son.

“He’s matured and it gives me a little tear in my eyes,” he said. “It is such a blessing to be able to see your son do what he does.”