Luke Willson

Luke Michael Willson (born January 15, 1990) is a Canadian former professional American football tight end. He has played for the Seattle Seahawks, the Detroit Lions, the Oakland Raiders, and the Baltimore Ravens.

Willson played with the Canadian Junior National baseball team in 2008. In 2011, he signed with the Toronto Blue Jays organization, but decided to return to football.

Early years

Willson attended St. Thomas of Villanova Catholic Secondary School in LaSalle, Ontario, near Windsor, and was all-conference three times in football. He had 29 receptions for 638 receiving yards along with eight receiving touchdowns in his senior season. Willson was selected as the school's athlete of the year in both his junior and senior seasons, and graduated in 2008.

College career

Willson played as a tight end for Rice University each year from 2009 through 2012. His position coach at Rice was former Detroit Lions tight end David Sloan. After reporting late to camp in 2008 due to his baseball commitments in Canada, Willson redshirted as a true freshman.

Freshman season

Willson finished his redshirt freshman year with 7 receptions for 122 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.

Sophomore season

He finished his sophomore season in 2010 with a total of 33 receptions, 425 receiving yards, and 3 receiving touchdowns.

Junior season

In 2011, he was selected to Phil Steele's midseason All- Conference USA team as tight end. He was selected to the Consensus first-team preseason All C-USA and also was selected to the first-team of Dave Campbell's Texas Football All-Texas College preseason team before his junior season. He finished his junior season with 29 receptions, 313 receiving yards, and 3 receiving touchdowns.

Willson was selected by the Toronto Argonauts in the 2012 CFL Draft, but did not sign.

Senior season

Willson finished his senior season in 2012 with a total of nine receptions for 126 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns, which earned him a spot in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.

Professional career

Seattle Seahawks

He was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of Rice University. Willson played in every game for Seattle in 2013 and scored his first touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers. At the end of the regular season, Willson was graded as the second most valuable rookie tight end by Football Outsiders, despite being the eighth tight end selected in the 2013 Draft.

Willson's rookie season was capped with a blowout win in Super Bowl XLVIII; he caught two passes for 17 yards in the Seahawks' 43–8 victory over the Denver Broncos.

Willson's second season in 2014 saw an increased role when starting tight end Zach Miller was injured after a Week 4 Super Bowl rematch against Denver, eventually ending up on injured reserve. Willson caught a game-winning 23 yard touchdown pass with less than a minute left in week 8 against the Carolina Panthers. He later starred in a week 16 game against the Arizona Cardinals, catching three passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns. Willson ended the season with 22 catches for 362 yards and three touchdowns.

In that season's playoffs, Willson caught four passes for 68 yards and a touchdown in a divisional round game against the Carolina Panthers. A week later, he caught a key two-point conversion in the NFC Championship Game against the Green Bay Packers, as the Seahawks rallied to defeat the Packers 28–22 to reached consecutive Super Bowls. In Super Bowl XLIX, Willson had no catches as the Seahawks failed to repeat as champions, defeated by the New England Patriots, who rallied in the fourth quarter behind quarterback

On March 17, 2017, Willson re-signed with the Seahawks.

Detroit Lions

After five years in Seattle, Willson signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Detroit Lions on March 21, 2018.

Oakland Raiders

On March 29, 2019, Willson was signed by the Oakland Raiders, but was released during final roster cuts on August 30.

Seattle Seahawks (second stint)

On September 25, 2019, Willson was signed by the Seattle Seahawks after they traded tight end Nick Vannett to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Willson re-signed with the Seahawks on April 21, 2020, and was released on November 3.

Baltimore Ravens

On November 17, 2020, Willson was signed to the Baltimore Ravens' practice squad. He was elevated to the active roster on November 21 for the team's week 11 game against the Tennessee Titans, and reverted to the practice squad after the game. He was elevated to the active roster on December 2 for the team's week 12 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and reverted to the practice squad after the game. He was promoted to the active roster on December 4, and waived on December 19.

Seattle Seahawks (third stint)

On December 30, 2020, Willson signed with the practice squad of the Seattle Seahawks. He was promoted to the active roster on January 6, 2021.

Willson re-signed with the Seahawks on August 24, 2021. He announced his retirement the next day, citing a heart-related condition.

Personal life

Willson has attributed his success in life to being a part of the Catholic Church.

Willson had a Tuesday guest spot with BJ & Migs Mornings on 99.9 KISW "The Rock of Seattle" radio station titled "The End Zone with Luke Willson."

References

External links

Seattle Seahawks bioRice Owls bio
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Willson, Luke
1990 births
Living people
American football tight ends
Baltimore Ravens players
Baseball people from Ontario
Canadian baseball players
Canadian players of American football
Canadian Roman Catholics
Detroit Lions players
Gridiron football people from Ontario
Oakland Raiders players
People from Essex County, Ontario
Rice Owls baseball players
Rice Owls football players
Seattle Seahawks players