CHARLOTTE -- Former Mallard Creek quarterback Marquise Williams was honored by the school on Friday night.
Williams, now a quarterback for the Canadian Football League's Saskatchewan Roughriders, gave the Mavericks his pro jersey, and they gave him a helmet.
"It's special. I started here. It started who I am," Williams said. "I played with a great group of guys. Mallard Creek will always hold a special place in my heart.
In high school, Williams threw for 3,034 yards, 45 touchdowns, and rushed for 1,147 yards and 19 touchdowns.
Williams went on to a successful career at North Carolina, leading the Tar Heels to the ACC Championship Game in 2015.
He then signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent but was cut at the end of training camp.
Williams spent 2017 with the Roughriders, and will play there again next season, but hopes for another shot at the NFL.
"I continue to chase that dream, continue to fight hard," Williams told NBC Charlotte. "My thing is just to try and get the starting job (with the Roughriders) and get back down south."