Kirk Cousins presents game ball to father after 4-TD performance

— -- LANDOVER, Md. -- Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins spent Sunday delivering passes that resulted in touchdowns and handoffs that led to long gains.

But perhaps one ball he delivered meant more than the others -- the one he handed to his father in the stands afterward.

Cousins' father, Don, was attending his first game of the season after undergoing cancer treatments throughout the summer and fall. Cousins previously had declined to discuss the situation, not wanting to make it part of the narrative of his season.

However, his father underwent his last treatment recently and was healthy enough to attend the Redskins' 47-14 victory Sunday over New Orleans. Cousins completed 20 of 25 passes for 324 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions.

After the game, a CSN cameraman captured him on video handing the ball to his father as the two exchanged a long hug.

"To have him back was exciting and to have a game like that was a lot of fun, gave him the game ball," Cousins told CSNWashington. "He just said: 'Thank you. Thanks for a great day,' put a smile on his face and it was special for our family and we'll enjoy it tonight."

Don Cousins, 58, told the Orlando Sentinel this summer that he was diagnosed with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma and started undergoing treatments around the time training camp started in late July. Other members of Cousins' family still attended games, and there was doubt about whether his father would be able to make one this season.

But he was able to attend his son's best game as a professional.

"Rewarding and satisfying, because coaches and other guys are working so hard," Cousins said of the entire day. "It's just a great [team] performance, a team win and you want to put together a string of performances like that.

"But a really positive day. I mean, you can't draw it up better than that."