Behind Number Seven
Central Michigan junior quarterback Angel Flores celebrates his third total touchdown of the day during the home opener at Kelly/Shorts Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. Flores had two rushing touchdowns and one 22-yard passing touchdown. (CM-Life | Trevor Sparks)
When Angel Flores thinks back to his first memories of football, it isn’t Kelly/Shorts Stadium, or even a high school field in Arizona that comes to mind. Instead, it’s Texas, where he was a boy running with his youth football teammates in a league called TYFA, the Texas Youth Football Association.
Flores didn’t grow up dreaming of being a quarterback. In fact, until his freshman year of high school, he played linebacker, safety and even receiver occasionally.
The first football in his hands came from his grandfather, a lifelong Pittsburgh Steelers fan who dressed his grandson in Ben Roethlisberger jerseys every Sunday.
“He loved watching the Steelers every Sunday. He was like a father figure to me growing up, and we did everything together,” Flores said.
That connection explains why Flores wears No. 7 today, a small tribute to his grandfather and those early days watching the Steelers.
From Casa Grande to Mount Pleasant
Though he spent time in Texas, Flores was born and raised in Casa Grande, Arizona. The desert town shaped him in ways he still carries to this day.
“They’re so resilient,” Flores said. “People in that city don’t always go through the ideal circumstances and just for them to always find a way to persevere … I often think back to the people back home … (I) try to put myself in their shoes and that’s what helps me a lot.”
After a decorated career at Casa Grande Union High School, Flores began his college career at Northern Arizona University. That’s where he first crossed paths with Central Michigan’s current offensive coordinator, Jim Chapin. At the time, Chapin was the OC at Eastern Washington, and Flores’s team faced them in a game Northern Arizona ultimately won.
“Once I got into the portal, we got in contact,” Flores said. “I think playing against him and him coming here (CMU), we already knew each other…that’s where that relationship started.”
Coming to CMU meant new coaches, a new team and a new state with winters very different from Arizona’s constant heat. But Flores says the small-town feel of Mount Pleasant makes it feel familiar.
“It reminds me of Casa Grande,” he said. “The people here are kind and down to earth. You can start a conversation with anyone — whether it’s on campus, at the store or just walking down the street. That’s what makes this place feel like home.”
The role of family
Flores’ journey wouldn’t have been possible without his family. His mother raised him and his two younger brothers largely on her own, something Flores says inspires him daily.
“My mom, she’s been the backbone for me,” he said. “She raised me and my two younger brothers by herself in Texas. I’m always looking to her for inspiration.”
His grandmother, aunt and younger brothers remain his closest support system. He talks to his brothers almost every day, describing them as his best friends. His aunt “posts everything,” and is always quick to highlight his accomplishments. His grandmother, he says, is someone he tries to call as much as possible, no matter how busy life gets.
Flores also credits high school coach Jake Barro and his family with being a second home.
“He’s a huge person in my life,” Flores said with a smile. “He’s more like family than anything … I’m so grateful for them and everything they did for me.”
To Flores, the support from not only his family members but also those who care for him means everything.
“You know everyone goes through things and they help me stay grounded," Flores said.
Flores also draws strength from his cultural heritage. As a Mexican American, he grew up visiting family in Mexico and says those trips gave him perspective on gratitude and opportunity.
“As a little kid, I always had a deep perspective on how lucky I am and how blessed I am that God gave me this life here,” he said.
Learning to live in the moment
Flores admits that earlier in his career, he was too hard on himself. He focused so much on mistakes that he often missed the joy of the game.
“Just enjoy life,” Flores said. “I know growing up, I was always so hard on myself, but I think I missed out sometimes on the bittersweet moments. Just enjoy every moment and be happy.”
He credits CMU’s staff with helping him adopt that mindset.
“Coach Chapin and Coach Drinkall do an unbelievable job keeping me in the present,” Flores said. “They are definitely people that are helping me transition into enjoying every little part of the journey.”
What makes CMU home
Flores will never forget how welcoming the CMU community was.
For him, it’s the combination of resilience from Casa Grande, the unwavering support of family and the kindness of a small-town community in Michigan that has embraced him.
“Just the people remind me a lot of back home,” Flores said. “Just really good, kind people. Every person I met at the store, or just around campus are just extremely nice and really good people.”
Drinkall summed it up simply: “Angel’s story is one of family, perseverance, and finding your place. And that’s exactly what Homecoming is about — celebrating the community that makes this place special.”
For Flores, that sense of belonging is clear. Whether he’s on the field wearing No. 7 in tribute to his grandfather or off the field FaceTiming his younger brothers, Central Michigan is more than just a stop in his football journey. It’s home.
