Salpointe High School will retire the number 76 of former Lancer Kristopher O'Dowd before Friday's home game against Sahuaro.
"It's such a great honor," said O'Dowd. "I'm going to use this as an opportunity to give back to those in need."
O'Dowd was a Parade All-American who went on to play for USC before having a brief stint in the NFL. He was also known for a friendship he struck up with Jake Olson through the Make A Wish Foundation.
Olson had a rare cancer of the eye. When Olson was ten, he told the foundation that O'Dowd, a center for the Trjoans, was his favorite player. The two struck up a friendship as Olson would go on to lose both his eyes.
Olson would go on to attend USC and walk on the Trjoan football team. His story gained national attention when he entered a game and successfully long snapped an extra point.
Tomorrow, Olson will be by O'Dowd's side as he becomes the fourth Lancer football player to ever have his number retired.
"He's just a legend, here," said Salpointe coach Dennis Bene. "On and off, the field, he's such a tremendous young man. He has the highest character and embodies everything that is good about our program."
