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Armorion Smith, 21, is putting in work on and off the field. The Michigan State football player has taken charge of raising his five siblings after their mother recently died. Keeping the family together, though, is a collaborative effort that Smith is now opening up about.
“My cards were given to me, like I didn’t choose my cards, but like for people to tell me that, it’s like uplifting. It’s motivation to keep going, don’t stop,” Smith said in an ABC7 Chicago interview.
Armorion Smith, an NCAA football player at Michigan State, takes a moment by himself at home in Lansing, Mich., Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
How Armoion Smith & His Siblings Are Pushing Through
According to the Associated Press, the 21-year-old’s mother, Gala Gilliam, passed away on Aug. 19 from breast cancer. She was 41. Doctors first diagnosed the conditon in 2022, while her eldest son was in his sophomore year at the University of Cincinnati. Smith transferred to Michigan State in 2023 to be closer to his family.
Gala is survived by six children, including Armorion. With no father to step in, Smith became the legal guardian of four of the kids on Sept. 11. His youngest sibiling is two-year-old Amaira, and his eldest is 19-year-old Aleion. The other siblings include 11-year-old Arial, 15-year-old Avaghn and 16-year-old Armond.
“I can feel her living through me,” Smith said, revealing that he feels waves of sadness. “Almost like I hear her voice telling me how proud she is of me.”
As mentioned, Smith is currently a student-athlete at Michigan State, and when he’s not balling out on the field, he’s studying crimninal justice. AP reports that he relies on Aleion to help care for their four younger siblings while he’s gone nearly 12 hours on most days. He reportedly hopes to help his 19-year-old sister take college courses starting next year.
“Me and my sister got to work together to keep this all afloat,” Smith said. “While I’m in college sports, she’s got to be able to take care of everything that I can’t do, like pick up where I left off, while I’m taking care of business.”
Additonally, the atudent-athlete keeps a tight, organized schedule. He uses notes on his phone to manage his busy days, which include waking up before dawn. He wakes his siblings, and then hitches a ride with a teammate or calls a rideshare service to arrive on Michigan State’s campus for therapy, football team meetings, class and then practice.
Armorion Smith, left, reviews game video on his phone as he sits with his siblings, from left, Arial, Aleion, Amaira, Armond, and Avaugn, at home in Lansing, Mich., Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Financial Donations Have Kept The Family Afloat
The family of six live in a four bedroom, two-bathroom home that they secured due in part to GoFundMe donations, per AP. In total, the siblings collected over $60,000 from the fundraising platform. The funds are assisting with the rent payments, but also ultimatelites, bills, food and rideshare services to trasnport the kids. Additonally, per AP, Smith has made some money from name, image, and likeness deals.
The football player’s Michigan State resources have also stepped in. In addition to help from a student assistance fund, former MS football players Jason Strayhorn and Sedrick Irvin hosted two local fundraisers for the family.
The 21-year-old has also relied on outside community during this time. His mother’s close friend, Yolanda Wilson, has stood by the siblings, offering her help where she can. “I’m going to be there no matter what. That’s a promise I made to their mother. And they have everybody here backing them up. So, it’s going to be a hard transiton as it is, but we’re going to be that tight-kniut community and have their back,” Wilson told AP.
Armorion Smith added that he and his sibling are “very happy…appreciative and grateful” for the love they’ve been receiving.
“It’s been a rough time, but to be able to take some of the stress off of my shoulders and show me a lot of love is a blessing and has warmed my heart.”
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