Luke Willson

Luke Michael Willson is a professional football player in the National Football League (NFL). He currently plays tight end for the Seattle Seahawks and is one of only fifteen Canadians to have won the Vince Lombardi trophy, which he did in 2014.

Willson was born on January 15, 1990 in Windsor to Mike and Wilma Willson. He was raised in LaSalle, Ontario and has three siblings: twin brothers, Eric and Greg, and sister, Rachel. Willson was a naturally athletic child, playing hockey and baseball from a young age. In fact, he competed for the Canadian Junior National Baseball team in 2008.  Willson began his football career playing for his high school team at St. Thomas of Villanova and for the Essex Ravens, a local AAA football club.

Willson then attended Rice University in Houston, Texas where he played tight end from 2009 to 2012. After his senior year, Willson was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks, the eighth tight end selected in the 2013 NFL draft. His rookie season (2013-14) was capped off by a definitive victory in Super Bowl XLIII against the Denver Broncos by a score of 43-8. The following season, Willson and the Seahawks made it to their second straight Super Bowl and attempted to defend their championship against the New England Patriots. In a crushing defeat, the Seahawks lost to the Patriots by a score of 28-24.

Willson played the 2017-18 season with the Detroit Lions, and had a brief stint with the Oakland Raiders before re-signing with the Seahawks in September 2019.  He wears number 82.

Sources:

“LaSalle’s Luke Willson, family Super Bowl bound.” CBC News (January 31, 2014).

“2012 Football Roster: Luke Willson.” Rice Owls (n.d.).

Ralph, Dan. “LaSalle’s Luke Willson one of just 15 Canadian-born players to have played in Super Bowl.” CTV News (January 29, 2020).

“Seattle Seahawks: Luke Willson.” NFL.com (n.d.).