Jackson Thomas will always be 5-years-old to his mother.

Thomas, affectionately know as Jack-Jack by his family, succumbed to Rhizomelic Chondrodysplasia Punctata in 2013 - a terminal form of dwarfism with only about 150 known cases in the world.

Jackson's life, along with former and current patients served through Children's Harbor, will be honored for the second year in-a-row during UAB's Oct. 20 homecoming game against North Texas. The Blazers, who defeated Louisiana Tech in last year's Children's Harbor game, will once again wear their alternate gray uniforms with the name of a child replacing the name of a player on the back of the jersey.

It's a humbling feeling for Tracey Thomas, Jackson's mother, as the name of her son will be emblazoned on the back of the highest-profile player on the team, starting quarterback A.J. Erdely.

"When we were informed that the UAB football team wanted to honor some of the children who have been served through Children's Hospital and Children's Harbor, and that our Jackson would be included, our family was very humbled," Thomas said. "We're thankful for these players, these coaches, this athletic program and for being a light to so many and allowing our family and so many others to be a part of their special homecoming game. It will be a bright spot in our lives long after the lights go out that night."

Thomas' initial diagnosis was not promising as doctors told the family that Jackson would not make it past nine months. That timeline was shattered by more than four years and led to his mother and Mary Ellis - whose son, Ian, was also diagnosed with RCDP and are the only two cases in the state - founding Rhizokids International in 2008, a year after both children were born five weeks apart in the same hospital.

The non-profit organization raises money for research -- there is no current treatment or cure for the disease -- and holds an annual conference at the Children's Harbor retreat lodge in Alexander City.

After head coach Bill Clark took the reins of the UAB program in 2014, he knew a relationship with Children's Harbor and Children's Hospital would give his teams the opportunity to learn and become better stewards of their community. The program embraced Children's Harbor as one of its community charities in 2016 and frequently visit patients as a way to inspire and seed hope in those fighting an unblockable opponent.

"We talk a lot about playing for the name on the front of the jersey," Clark said. "This is our chance to play for the name on the back. Last year our players found out about each one of these children, who they are and what their story is. They really developed a relationship with that family."

UAB is a world renowned medical research university so creating an entire gameday experience to honor that notion while paying tribute to those who have lost or continue to fight the battle made a lot of sense. It's helped forge a stronger bond between the football program and the Birmingham community.

"Something we've said since we've come back is playing for more than ourselves," Clark said. "Our community has gotten bigger and one of the things I love to hear when I'm out is 'thanks for believing in us,' and really it's the other way around. Birmingham believed in us. We're the beneficiaries and we're very humbled to be a part of it."

Although seeing the name of a loved one after their passing can dredge up sad memories, Tracey Thomas is grateful of the lasting remembrance of Jack-Jack.

"I guess having a child that never could walk or talk, or run, it just means so much to know that somebody is willing to sacrifice what they've worked for and share that moment," Thomas said. "I was thinking about it over the weekend and it's kind of like the story of the little red hen. They're out working, putting in the practice and making all the bread then we get to eat it and enjoy it at the game. It's such a wonderful thing and it makes me so proud of all of these children that deserve to have a moment of joy like this."