"Saturday will be the first game he'll actually see me play. I have to put on a show. I have to show him dad is good at what he does." – George Wahee 

George Wahee is more than No. 11, the graduate student, wide receiver for the Western Illinois football team.

His online biography is brimming with achievements – MVFC Honor Roll, more than 800 receiving yards, four touchdowns – but something is missing. Wahee's life is consumed by diapers, playbooks, date nights, and textbooks. 

His namesake George Wahee Jr. was born September 2, 2017, and less than a month later, Wahee Sr. entered into a union of holy matrimony with his now wife D'nette. 

"It's not easy, but it's a challenge that I love," he said. "I just split my days up. I go into the day thinking 'Let me get school done first then football, and at the end of the day, I'm home to be a father.' I love it. I love every single moment of being a dad. 

"The second he was born, there was a split change in me. Just seeing him for the first time was like 'Wow, I have a big responsibility, a bigger purpose in life now having a son."

The Leathernecks' 2019 home opener is also billed Family Day, and it holds extra weight in the Wahee household. George enters Hanson Field in full health after bouncing back from injury a season ago, and there are now a pair of Wahees on Western's roster.

George and J.T. never thought they would suit up together again. 

The two committed to Norfolk State and logged two seasons together (2016-17) before the elder George transferred to Western Illinois. 

"To be honest, when I left Norfolk State, and he was still there, we kind of thought that was our last time playing together," said George. "When we found out that he could actually come here, we were excited.

"He's the best cornerback I've ever played against, and me being a receiver, there's no better feeling than to have the person that can guard you the best, come to practice against you every day. He makes me better, and being with him every day is amazing, a blessing."

"[My family] told us to really cherish this moment. It's rare to play with your brother at two Division I schools. We're really blessed and grateful. We have to take advantage of every moment, whether that be on the field or in the classroom."   

Beyond the brotherhood, the older Wahee is also proud of the blossoming relationship between Uncle J.T. and George Jr. The two-year-old will be in attendance for Family Day against Montana State, watching his dad and uncle play together for the first time.