José Fernández: a name unknown to many until his name flooded the news and social media outlets on Sunday, September 25th, 2016. Fernández had many roles: teammate, son, friend, cousin, brother, grandson, and one he will never get to fulfill here on earth, father.

On September 25, Jose Fernández was one of three people killed in a boating accident. He was only 24 years old.

Fernández overcame so many trials and challenges in his 24 years of life. José spent the majority of his life in Cuba. He fled to the United States at just 15 years old. In 2008, Fernández attempted to flee Cuba for the fourth time. He had even been previously imprisoned for trying to flee the country. On this journey, José, his mother and sister, were trying to enter the United States from Mexico. Fernández heard someone had fallen off of the boat, and without batting an eye, jumped in to save whoever was currently in the water. Unknown to him when he jumped in, the woman was his mother. In 2013, he told the Miami Herald, "I dove to help a person not thinking who that person was. Imagine when I realized it was my own mother. If that does not leave a mark on you for the rest of your life, I don't know what will".

Once Fernández was in the United States, he continued to face adversity. His English was poor and he was missing his beloved grandmother, who was still in Cuba. His relationship with his grandmother was one that I can very closely relate to and one that warms my heart and the hearts of many others. Fernández often credited his grandmother for his success in baseball. They used to play catch together and once Fernández joined the big leagues, she would climb to the roof of her home with a small radio in hand just to catch his games. The Marlins CEO Jeffrey Loria even coordinated their first visit in six years.

Fernández had many special connections on this earth. Not only did he give back to the community at all costs, but he had a love for children with cancer. He was a dedicated and beloved member of the "Live Like Bella" foundation. When he was 21 years old, he was named "Rookie of the Year". He gave his entire $20,000 check to the foundation.

Fernández was a man full of humility, kindness, generosity, and love. Even at such a young age, he put others before himself. He will always be remembered as a man who cared greatly for others. In the Marlins, MLB, and Miami communities, as well as the Fernandez family, there will always be a void that can not be filled.

Marlins President, David Samson, said, "José is a member of this family for all time. His story is representative of a story of hope, and of love and of faith, and no one will ever let that story die."

To a man whose legacy will live on in the hearts of many...

Rest in Peace, José Fernández