Dad Goes Viral for Hauling His Kids’ Football Gear to Practice on the Bus. Then the Internet Rallied to Help

Roman Valdez — known to his players as Coach Roman — never minded hauling his kids’ football gear onto the city bus. But when a TikTok clip of him commuting with four kids’ equipment went viral, reaching more than 3 million viewers, it sparked a big change for his family.

Roman and his wife, Jennifer Solis, both 32, are parents to six children: four sons who all play football and two daughters. Roman has been involved in youth football since his kids first joined 6U, the division for children 6 and under.

“He started as the only volunteer holding the chains at every game because some parents didn’t want to volunteer,” Solis says. “He used it as a chance to watch the kids up close, so he could help correct mistakes later at home.”

Over time, Roman shifted from sideline helper to full-on coach, balancing his responsibilities on the field with his job as a general laborer. The pace of life is constant and demanding, but the family keeps going.

The biggest challenge is transportation. The California-based family doesn’t have a truly reliable car, which makes simply getting to practices and games an ongoing struggle. On some nights, when they couldn’t get home, they even spent money they’d been saving for a house on hotel rooms.

For them, the bus became the most dependable option.

“We all have been taking the bus for a while now,” explains Solis, a full-time medical student and part-time youth football league AD for her son’s 14u team. “Not everyone can always give rides, which we understand — people have responsibilities. So, for us, taking the bus ensures we’re not a burden.”

“My older kids don’t mind it because they understand our situation and are mature enough to follow our lead,” she adds. “The little ones enjoy it sometimes, but long days of bus rides, school and practice can make them fussy. Still, it works for us.”

The parents ride the bus too. After dropping the kids at school or practice, Roman heads to work. Later, he races back to feed the kids, get them ready for football and manage multiple bags loaded with helmets, cleats, jerseys and water jugs.

“We used to rely on the school to hold our gear, but one day we weren’t allowed to bring it anymore,” Solis says. “Sometimes we have to backtrack to pick up equipment from storage, but at least everything stays safe. It’s not always easy, but taking the bus ensures the kids get to practice and games safely, even if it means a long day and a bit of juggling for us.”

Game days are especially intense. For home games, the family is often out the door around 6 a.m. For away games, they must coordinate rides with other parents or relatives. “It literally takes a village,” Solis says.

Through it all, Roman stays steady.

“He approaches both his role as a coach and his responsibilities to our family with incredible commitment and passion,” Solis says. “Even when life gets tough, seeing the kids practice and play brings him happiness — it’s a reminder to let them simply be kids.”

Small moments of support have meant a lot. At one game, a parent handed Roman a card that read, “You make a difference.” On another day, when the weather was rough and the family struggled with kids and gear, a bus driver quietly gave them free bus passes. “To be seen in a moment of feeling helpless was everything to us,” Solis says.

When Solis shared her husband’s bus routine on TikTok, the response was overwhelming in the best way. The video drew a wave of empathy and encouragement from friends, neighbors and complete strangers.

“People even recognized us in our neighborhood! We got honks and waves, and close friends were calling, saying, ‘Y’all went viral!’ ” she recalls. Roman, who dislikes being the center of attention and would never ask for help, was initially hesitant — but he was truly moved by the messages of support.

That support soon turned into action. The community organized a GoFundMe that raised $8,932 to help the family buy a dependable vehicle — a change that could finally make bus rides optional instead of mandatory.

“Having a reliable car changed everything,” Solis says. “We no longer have to worry about catching buses or waking up extra early. We can get to school, work and practices on time, and it gives us breathing room for other parts of our busy lives. But the reason the bus worked for so long is the kids’ resilience and our willingness to make it work together.”

The family had weathered some very hard months before that. Roman had been laid off multiple times, and they lost their home in March, spending months rotating between motels until a family member offered them temporary shelter. Every dollar from the GoFundMe went straight toward the car they purchased used.

“It’s already showing minor mechanical issues, but we’re managing it together,” Solis says.

“No matter your living situation or daily struggles, resilience and determination can help you overcome immense challenges,” she adds. “Even in the face of overwhelming odds, maintaining hope and working tirelessly toward your goals can lead to unexpected triumphs.”