For years Shea Patterson and Dwayne Haskins battled each other as opposing QBs. Whether they competed at camps in High School or as members of the Michigan Wolverines and Ohio State Buckeyes, both young men have had their careers cross paths multiple times. So, while the tragedy of Haskins’ passing took the football community by surprise, Patterson was able to honor his friend by writing his name on his wrist for his professional debut.

Haskins and Patterson’s relationship goes back to the eighth grade. They competed in camps like the elite 11 camps, and Patterson was present watching Haskins throw for five touchdowns against Michigan in 2018. Patterson and Haskins relationship was so good that they also used to discuss gameplans with each other.

Haskins was also honored by two other Ohio State Quarterbacks as well. Justin Fields and C.J. Stroud took time to comment on the passing of Haskins. Fields made it clear that Haskins was quoted as saying “For as long as I can remember Dwayne, he’s always been a genuine person,” Fields said on BTN. “ Just the impact he has always had on me, not just as a player but as a person — he’d always want to work out together and stuff like that. He’s impacted not only me but a lot of people on this earth in positive ways. I know he’s in a better place now and I’m just praying for his family.” C.J. Stroud has also stated Dwayne was a “big brother of mine”.

While Patterson couldn’t honor his friend with a win in his professional debut, he did perform valiantly. The Panthers QB gave a gutsy performance that ended in a last second heave to the endzone that ultimately fell incomplete. Even though the Patterson’s Panthers fell short, Patterson once again reminds fans that there is more to life than football, and that friendship runs deeper than rivalries. RIP Dwayne.