Cal recruit shares a heartbreaking tribute after losing his mother on Signing Day

Published Feb. 2, 2017 9:04 a.m. ET

Chris Bahr

National Signing Day was a time for most recruits, their coaches and their teammates to celebrate. But it was much more somber for Poutasi Poutasi, an offensive lineman who committed to the California Golden Bears on Wednesday.

Shortly after Poutasi signed with Cal, he learned that his mother had died from what ESPN reports was a battle with diabetes. He posted this touching tribute to her on Wednesday night:

https://twitter.com/PPoutasi/status/826997709533949953

Earlier that morning, Poutasi shared a heartbreaking image of him by his mother’s bedside, along with this emotional message:

https://twitter.com/PPoutasi/status/826859396365905920

Poutasi is a 6-foot-4, 305-pound offensive lineman from Desert Pines High School in Las Vegas, Nevada. And he's one special and motivated young man.