OTTAWA-It’s not often that one of your own gets to showcase their talents in one of the biggest spectacles in all of sports, so we’re happy to boast a little about 2008 Junior National Team member Luke Willson suiting up for the Seattle Seahawks when they take-on Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII.
Willson, a tight end, is in his rookie season with the Seahawks and his been used primarily in a back-up role throughout the season after being a fifth round pick out of Rice University in last April’s NFL Draft.
On December 8th, the hulking 6’5” 251 pound former first baseman gave a glimpse of his tremendous ability catching a pass from QB Russell Wilson and running 39 yards with the grace of a wide receiver for his first NFL touchdown.
His contributions to the Seahawks and the success they’ve had thus far this season have not been lost of the teams coaching staff in particular Head Coach Pete Carroll.
“Luke can play the whole position,” he said earlier in the season. “I mean he's been a fantastic draft pick for us, an incredible draft pick for us. I mean he could play so early and contribute in such a variety of ways, and he's really just getting started.”
If that doesn’t give you reason enough to cheer for the likeable giant from LaSalle, Ontario, we’ve got a few more to share with you.
He’s as tough as they come
After being taken to the ground following a four-yard reception in a Week 17 game against the St. Louis Rams, Willson was carted off the field with a lower leg injury and immediately placed in an air cast. The injury turned out to be an ankle sprain, something Willson went through in his senior season at Rice. The day after the injury, he calmly told Coach Carroll, “I’ll play”.
If that wasn’t enough, two weeks ago in the NFC Championship Willson was drilled by 49ers safety Eric Reid with a shot to the head that caused him to drop the ball. Reid was flagged on the play for a hit to the head and after taking his time to get up, Willson soon returned to action.
He’s got a big heart and remembers where he came from
Back in 2008, the Junior National Team, featuring the likes Brett Lawrie, Marcus Knecht and Michael Crouse were busy preparing for the IBAF 18U World Cup in Edmonton. On a scouting trip, Head Coach Greg Hamilton was in awe by the specimen that Willson was and the raw power that he displayed in batting practice leaving him no choice but to add him to the roster for the annual spring trip to Orlando. A few months later Willson was manning first base for Canada in Edmonton where he also hit clean-up.
The experience of playing for Canada meant a lot to him as he still keeps in regular contact with Hamilton who often describes the 24 year-old as a ‘salt of the earth’ guy. The type of person that he is became apparent earlier this month when he offered a package that included tickets to the NFC Championship Game that was successfully auctioned off as part of Baseball Canada’s National Teams Banquet and Fundraiser.
He’s a good old Canadian boy
Willson will be one of three Canadians suiting up in Sunday’s big game (Jon Ryan-Seahawks punter; Orlando Franklin-Broncos offensive tackle), but perhaps is the only one to have previously worn the maple leaf representing his country on the world stage. He also spent time in extended spring training with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2012, Canada’s only major league team and at one point was a standout Triple-A hockey player in the Windsor area while growing up. How Canadian is that!
Baseball Canada would like to wish Junior National Team alum, Luke Willson the best of the luck in the biggest game of his career.
