Day After Mom's Death, NJ High School Quarterback Scores 8 Touchdowns

RED BANK, NJ — Red Bank Catholic quarterback Alex Brown felt his mother watching over him as he scored eight touchdowns on Friday night against Morris Catholic.

Just a day after she died from a 14-year battle with cancer, the senior delivered a stunning performance as a tribute to his mom, whom he called his "best friend."

"Yesterday I lost my amazing mother. Today I scored 8 touchdowns, thank you for watching over me mama," Brown wrote on social media.

His story even got the attention of Tampa Bay Buccaneers star quarterback Tom Brady.

"Proud of you," he commented on an Instagram post from Sports Center celebrating the teen.

Brown thanked the athlete for his words and, adding that he was a "huge role model" and someone he looked up to not just in football but in life as well.

"My mama would be extremely happy," he added.

Brown posted a video on Twitter where he takes a knee after a touchdown and points to the sky. It quickly went viral over 37,400 people sharing it and 3,500 retweeting it. It has also been viewed over 598,000 times.

Brown went on "Fox and Friends" and said he had little doubt that he was ready to play on Friday.

"I knew I was ready to play as soon as I stepped on that field. I could feel my mother's presence with me and I looked into the crowd and I could see my whole family behind me. I just knew I was ready to go," he said. "Watching her struggle with cancer for almost 15 years it just made me a stronger person. I don't think I'll ever be as strong as she ever was."

Brown described his mom as both a best friend and teacher.

"She was never supposed to make it this long," he said, "but through love and her insane strength she fought."