"It's an awesome honor for him," Sayler said. "It's his whole life growing up. He's a military kid moving around, so it means a lot to him, which obviously makes me really proud."
Now a Marine veteran, "Shak" is at nearly every one of Khalil's games with the Bills. Shakir often recalls games where he'd go back to his locker afterwards and see a string of texts about how he played.
"His support is unreal. He's the guy who literally taught me the game. Whenever he's here, there is a little extra motivation to play better, because I know if I don't, I'm going to hear from him after the game," Shakir laughed.
These days, they still talk a lot about football — but there's a dose of fatherly advice mixed in with Khalil on the verge of becoming a parent in the middle of a football season.
"The one thing my dad told me was that it's the biggest blessing ever so just enjoy every single step of the way," he said.
Added Sayler, "We're both reading books and talking about all the things. We're both really excited. I know he's going to be a great dad."
Whether it's a long run up a hill, a tough practice, or the long nights of fatherhood ahead, Shakir approaches it all the same way — with discipline, gratitude, and love. It's what his father taught him, what Sayler reminds him of daily, and what he hopes his own child will one day carry forward.