Cairo attended his father's funeral on Tuesday.

On Thursday of that week, Cairo spoke with his coaches at Tulane, who told him to take as much time as he wanted before returning.

The team was set to play Syracuse that Saturday in New York.

"I said I wanted to play," Cairo explained. "I want to go and do what my dad always told me to do. So I flew to Syracuse and continued my season."

His host father, David, who back then and to this day considers Cairo a son, felt a responsibility to be there for whatever Cairo needed.

"You can never replace somebody's biological parents," David said. "But I'm trying to certainly step in and be that person to help him through the ups and downs of life."

Against Syracuse, Cairo hit his first field goal, which brought him to 26 straight field goals, just four shy of the NCAA record.

But on his second attempt from just 32 yards, the kick was blocked and the streak ended at 26.

Less than a week after his father's funeral, Cairo traveled from Brazil to New York on a Friday and kicked on Saturday. Unfortunately, that was the day his streak ended.

But it showed everyone that playing football was more than just something Cairo was good at—it meant something more to him.

The next week at UL Monroe, Cairo hit a 56-yard field goal in a 31-14 win for Tulane.

A week later against North Texas, Cairo hit a 27-yard game-winner with five seconds remaining.

Then, for the third consecutive week, Cairo did something on the football field that served as more than a note in a box score for him personally. In the third overtime, Cairo hit a 42-yard field goal to win the game.

But those kicks were more than just game-winners; they were cathartic for Cairo.

"I remember the emotion I had after those kicks," Cairo said. "It allowed me to kind of see the light again and wanted to keep playing and keep doing it. So it ended up being a good moment in my life."

Talita recalls her father's pride for Cairo and how her mom helped keep them together.

"My dad was his number one fan and it was very difficult," Talita said. "But I think my mom is a very strong person. Her faith is very strong and I think this is what held us together. They are both my rock because they are very, very strong."

Through tragedy, there was triumph.