California high school football team pays touching tribute to cheerleader with leukemia

PALO CEDRO, Calif. (KABC) -- A Northern California high school football team's emotional show of support for a cheerleader battling cancer left the young woman "shocked, overwhelmed, and speechless."

Ashley Adamietz, a senior cheerleader for Foothill High School in Palo Cedro is fighting leukemia.

She was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in early August and has been going through daily chemotherapy treatments ever since.

On Friday, the high school's football team rallied behind Adamietz with a colorful on-field gesture.

Each of the 57 football players on the team placed an orange rose at Adamietz's feet, one by one, before running out onto the field.

Orange is the designated color for leukemia awareness.

According to KRCR, one of the players, Ryan Caetano, asked his coach if the whole team could show appreciation for the senior cheerleader.

Head coach Joey Brown told ABC News, "We took care of family business, before we took care of business on the field."

Adamietz was clearly touched by the gesture.

She expressed her gratitude on Twitter, saying she didn't know where she'd be without the support of her family, friends and her school.