Home is where the heart is

Despite winning a Super Bowl, LaSalle native and Seattle Seahawks tight end Luke Willson has not forgotten about his local roots.

St. Thomas of Villanova High School has not forgotten him either. The NFL Super Bowl committee and NFL Films has created the High School Honor Roll initiative to recognize players and coaches who’ve made it to the Super Bowl over the last 50 years.

Nov. 6, Willson returned to his former high school to present the golden football. Awaiting his arrival was a gymnasium packed with students, friends, family and former coaches.

Willson said it felt amazing to return to his alma mater and be able to present the golden football as a token of his appreciation.

“To be one of 15 Canadians to play in a Super Bowl is awesome,” said Willson. “It’s a special feeling and I couldn’t have done it without my time here at Villanova and the people around me.”

The third year NFL tight end suffered what he is calling an “unfortunate injury” during the end of the Cowboys game in Week 8. While Willson is still going through minor rehabilitation, as soon as he got the green light to fly back home to present the ball he took the opportunity.

Tim Maitre, Willson’s former high school football coach at Villanova, said Willson is a community man who hasn’t forgotten how to give back.

“He brought the school one of their only championships,” said Maitre. “For him to come back and still remember everything that went on here, it’s outstanding. He’s a promoter of this school and he’s a promoter of LaSalle and Essex County. Everyone should be proud of him.”

Along with the golden football, Willson also brought a “12” flag for the school to hang up.  As 11 men are on the football field per team at a time, the Seahawks use the “12” to symbolize their fanbase being the 12^th player on the field. He said he made sure the school got a flag because it’s a major part of the worldwide fan base. While the school has continuously shown him support throughout his career, Willson said the flag makes things official.

Willson spends a lot of his time in the offseason helping benefit his community. He added it never gets old returning home where he feels like family.

“Villanova was a large part of my upbringing as a person and as football player,” said Willson. “I developed my passion for football here.”

After appearing in two Super Bowls is his first two seasons in the NFL, Willson continues to remain humble saying how much of a pleasure it is to be playing alongside the likes of Jimmy Graham rather than treating it as a competition.

Willson is now enjoying a successful career in the NFL hoping to appear in a third consecutive Super Bowl. While remaining true to himself and his community are things Willson said he takes pride in, he is also still continuing to inspire.

“I watch him every time he plays and he still amazes me,” said Maitre.