They attend each other’s sporting events, which right now means Rudder football games for Rubio, a senior wide receiver for the Rangers. Ybarra razzes Rubio for his long, black hair.
But there are several ways in which Rubio’s and Ybarra’s relationship is unusual.
Ybarra, 23, has Down syndrome. Rubio used to take him to life skills classes such as cooking and is involved in Ybarra’s other activities and athletics, fondly recalling a rugby outing with players from Texas A&M. Ybarra also competes in track and field through Special Olympics, which Rubio helps with.
“It changed my view on everything,” Rubio said. “Never judge a book by its cover. We’re all the same, just some of us are better in special ways.”
Ybarra and Rubio’s mother, Rosalinda Rubio, formed the basis of his character and helped him develop a deep faith, and Rubio says he’s inspired by his older brother to stay hopeful and upbeat. Rubio also is involved with local Down syndrome groups and says he learned kindness and a loving attitude from Ybarra as well as people involved in those organizations.
“I know what [Ybarra] has been through when he had heart surgery,” Rubio said. “He always asks for me, so I’m always going to bring him with me no matter what.”
That positivity bleeds onto the football field. Rubio, a team captain, was chosen as one of the first members of the player council and is an uplifting presence for the Rangers (4-3, 2-2 District 19-5A) as they head into the final three games of the season. First up is a road game against Cleveland at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
“It doesn’t matter what size or what problems you’ve got,” Rubio said. “You can do anything with faith. It doesn’t matter if you’re tall, short, not that strong.”
Rubio introduced Rudder head coach Eric Ezar to Ybarra at the beginning of the season, and Ezar was struck by the loving bond between the brothers. Rubio brought Ybarra to Thursday’s walkthrough, and Rudder players welcomed him with high-fives.
“When things go bad, he’s the first one to [say], ‘Hey guys, keep your head up,’” Ezar said of Rubio. “We need kids like that … he’s one of those kids who keeps them going and changes their point of view because he is so positive.”
The 5-foot-4, 135-pound Rubio wears several hats for the Rangers, filling several special teams roles in addition to his position at wide receiver. That translates outside of football, too, as he’s also involved in wrestling, track, powerlifting, baseball and the PALS program at Rudder.
Rubio wants to give back, not just to his family but the Rudder coaches, including longtime coach Stewart Donley. He wants to major in history and pursue a career in teaching and coaching, and Ezar would be happy to have Rubio on his staff one day.
“I would hire him in a second,” Ezar said. “[Offensive coordinator Edgar Vasquez] was a quarterback for me at L... Click here to read full article
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