DaVaris Daniels had plenty to play for on Saturday afternoon.

The former Notre Dame star not only put on a show versus the Tiger-Cats for his parents, but his five-catch, 123-yard and two-touchdown performance would have absolutely made his fallen teammate proud.

“The whole time we thought that Mylan was out there with us,” said Daniels, after the Stampeders’ first game since the tragic passing of Calgary defensive back Mylan Hicks. “We carry him in our hearts and we carry his passion that he brought to the table. We know that he was out there smiling and looking over us and we just tried to go 100 miles an hour just like he would have tonight.”

Early on in the first quarter of action, Daniels caught a Bo Levi Mitchell pass before maintaining his balance inbounds and scooting toward the end zone. But rather than embracing praise for the fancy footwork, Daniels credits Hicks for his ability to make the play.

“That was all him with the toe-tap,” the 23-year-old said in reference to Hicks. “He used to tell me, ‘Double-D, I’m not out there today (defending you) so there’s no reason why you shouldn’t ball-out.’ I think that I’m going to carry that with me the rest of my life. He just was that kind of guy – he wanted the best out of people and I think that without him working me in practice, maybe I don’t make that toe-tap. There’s definitely something that I gained from him and I’m happy that I had a chance to be his teammate.”

DaVaris Daniels chats with his parents after scoring two TDs in a win in Hamilton on Oct. 1, 2016

And the occasion was one to remember for another reason as well, as Daniels’ father, Phillip, the defensive quality control/assistant defensive line coach for the Philadelphia Eagles, made the trip to Hamilton alongside his wife Leslie.

“My mom has been to a few games, but my dad is coaching with the Eagles now and he doesn’t get a chance to come watch me that often,” explained No. 89. “In the States they probably don’t show all of our games, so just to be able to have a game for him, I haven’t done it for a few years in front of him since college. It was very special for me just to go out there and try to put on a show for him.”

Head coach Dave Dickenson was quick to credit Daniels following the 36-17 victory, which also included a 59-yard TD for the six-foot-one rising star. The Vernon Hills, Ill., native promptly delivered that touchdown ball straight to the sideline to be set aside for Renee Hill, the grieving mother of Hicks.

“I can tell he’s a good man,” Dickenson said of Daniels. “I think he’s got the right value system and he’s a team-player and he’s got the right work ethic. And then you put that with obviously some good talent and you’re going to get something. To me he’s the sort of guy that’s motivated and he wants to be the best, but he understands there is a process. When he got his chance he has ran with it and I just believe right now he’s one of the better guys in the league and is dangerous.”