MUSKEGON, MI – Demorrieo Burks is a fixture around the Muskegon High School football program.

Big Reds coach Shane Fairfield calls “Morrieo” (pronounced “Mario”) his team’s “Good Luck Charm.”

Morrieo accompanied Muskegon to Ford Field when the Big Reds won state titles in 2008 and 2017. He could not make the trip last November, when Muskegon lost in the state finals.

For his 34th birthday Tuesday, the Big Reds sang “Happy Birthday” to Morrieo and presented him with a team stocking cap and hoodie after their practice.

A Muskegon High alumnus, Morrieo frequently attends practices and other team functions, but he often has to miss games because of his job at Olive Garden.

“We feel good when he’s around. He’s already told his manager that if we go to the state finals (that he wants to go),” said Fairfield, who celebrated his own birthday on Monday. “Now, he didn’t go last year. He went in ’17 and we won. He went in ’08 and we won, and so we’ve already told him that if we get a chance to go back, he’s got to get off of work.”

Fairfield said that Morrieo represents what being a Big Red is all about.

“Just loves being around the kids, he works hard. Coach (Don) Poole taught him how to drive before he got his license,” Fairfield said. “You know, Morrieo’s just a guy that’s just what we’re all about: Family. Once a Big Red, always a Big Red, and if you graduate you still have a home, and friendships and relationships are built.”

Morrieo says he’s been a Big Red since 2001. The gesture Tuesday meant a lot to him.

“That means they loves me and likes me,” he said.

Watch the video above to see the Big Reds presenting their gifts to Morrieo and singing to him, and to hear his reaction.

More high school football:

Muskegon moves up in national rankings

See how teams stack up in Week 9 Muskegon-area Power Poll

Five Muskegon-area teams remain in this week’s AP state rankings

Show support by voting in MLive Muskegon player of week poll for Week 8 performances

Vote for MLive Muskegon ‘must see’ game for Week 9

Top 50 Michigan high school football teams entering Week 9 action