Chase Claypool鈥檚 Grade 12 football season with the Abbotsford Panthers was one to remember.

and was named the tier鈥檚 player of the year for 2015, but he also passed the Panthers torch to a young Grade 10 player that year - Samwel Uko.

Uko scored two touchdowns in that 2015 AA provincial title game and went on to have a successful high school football career in his own right, leading the Panthers back to the AA provincial title game in 2017.

, and obviously touched the teammate he looked up to as a Grade 10 rookie.

Claypool, who made his debut in the National Football League with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday, honoured his departed teammate and friend by writing his last name in the wrist tape he wore during the Steelers 26-16 win.

Panthers head coach Jay Fujimura tweeted out that he was moved by the gesture and believes that somewhere Uko is smiling at the decision to honour him.

鈥淐lass act Chase Claypool,鈥� the Abby Panthers football account posted. 鈥淗e looked up to you so much. I know he鈥檚 smiling right now. Great first game on top of it. Panther pride!鈥�

Class act . He looked up to you so much. I know he's smiling right now.
Great first game on top of it. Panther pride!

鈥� Pantherfootball (@AbbyPanthers)

Justin Paul, Uko鈥檚 uncle and the man who has acted as an unofficial spokesperson for the family during the news surrounding his death, told The 亚洲天堂 that he is honoured to see Claypool remember his nephew in such a thoughtful way.

鈥淲e really appreciate and thank that Samwel鈥檚 friends are still keeping his memory alive, that means so much to us - it brings peace into our heart,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e really thank Chase. God bless him.鈥�

Paul added that it was inspiring to see Uko on Claypool鈥檚 wrist tape and it鈥檚 a nice moment in what has been a difficult few months for his family.

The photo seems to indicate that Claypool will be honouring Uko for the entire season.

Uko was found dead in Wascana Lake in Regina, Sask. on May 21 at the age of 20. After an excellent high school career with the Panthers, he played one year with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies and most recently played one season with the Langley Rams of the Canadian Junior Football League.

Claypool鈥檚 debut with the Steelers was a solid one, as he collected 48 yards total offence in the team鈥檚 win.