Homages
After game seven of the Puerto Rico National Basketball League 2004 Finals, when the Ponce Lions won their twelfth championship, player Antonio Colón lifted Cordero's usual courtside seat igniting Ponce fans into celebration. The championship was officially dedicated to Cordero. Cordero's seat was reserved open during every Ponce Lions home game in 2004, in his honor.
In March 2006, a Taekwondo and Jujutsu from the Caribbean World Of Martial Arts Family Inc. led by Steven Rodríguez and Isabel Rivera dedicated a tournament to Cordero Santiago, with the blessing of Cordero's widow, Madeleine Velasco. The team carried a banner in the NAGA World Jujutsu Championship in New Jersey with the message, "WE CAME TO FIGHT IN MEMORIAM OF RAFAEL 'CHURUMBA' CORDERO SANTIAGO". The team won the trophy for the best team of the world.
Read more about this topic: Rafael Cordero Santiago