Football season returned in September, and the Henry M. Jackson High School Timberwolves faced off against the Cascade High School Bruins in a game that will be remembered for years to come. Why? Because JHS varsity player, Luke Buckley, scored a legendary touchdown with the help of his dad and our amazing community.

“Luke’s love for football started when he was just a baby,” shares his dad, Bruce. “Despite having cerebral palsy, he hasn’t let his condition get in the way of his love for sports.” Luke has played a variety of different sports with several of our local teams, including the Seattle Seahawks and Everett Silvertips. He has also bowled in the Special Olympics, played Challenger baseball, surfed in Hawaii, skied through Outdoors For All, and created his own brand of wheelchair kite surfing.

As for the Timberwolf teams, Luke has been on the varsity baseball and wrestling teams throughout his high school years and involved with the varsity football team since 7th grade. “Once he started attending school at Jackson, being on the team took on an even greater meaning, and our Timberwolf football staff has done a lot to both recognize his love of the sport and get him included in all aspects of the team,” shares Bruce. 

“With this being Luke’s senior year, we thought it would be really cool for him to experience a football play,” shares Mason Siddick, head varsity football coach at Jackson. “Joe Rue is the assistant coach for Cascade High School, and he works with Luke a lot through the JHS Extended Resource Program. He proposed the idea and reached out to Cascade’s head coach to get it all set up.”  

Once they got the okay, the team began practicing plays with Luke running the ball into the endzone. “Luke’s dad has always been with him on the football field, and when Bruce asked who was going to push Luke, we said ‘You, of course!’ We knew no one would be better to do that for him than his dad,” says Mason. “This really warmed my heart,” shares Bruce. “I am always honored to be Luke’s legs for events like this and I was very touched by the gesture.”

On the night of the big game, the teams lined up on the 15-yard line. The excitement and tension before the first Jackson versus Cascade game of the season was strong, but despite both teams itching to bring home the win, everyone came together to create this amazing moment. “The Cascade players were phenomenal,” says Mason. “They were just as excited for Luke to make this play as our team was.” When the whistle blew, Luke took the ball with his dad, and with the JHS offensive line clearing a hole, they ran all the way to the endzone. Luke was immediately surrounded by the players of both teams congratulating and cheering for him. “I stepped aside to allow Luke to fully take in the moment as he was swarmed by both teams. He was just ecstatic,” Bruce says. “We heard his name called out over the PA, and his mom was cheering in the stands. It left me speechless. It is such a blessing to experience these things as his parents.”

“It almost made me forget that we were there to play a football game ourselves,” shares Mason. “It was just so heartwarming to see two teams who were basically going to battle right after this just pause and take that moment together. It reminds me that football is bigger than a game – it can impact lives in such a positive manner.”

“Luke is truly incredible,” says his dad. “His amazing spirit and personality open doors to bring people and communities together. Whether that’s through sports, school, or community involvement, he is raising awareness and inclusion everywhere.” The Buckley family feels blessed to have such amazing resources around them, and fortunate to be able to see the community come together to lift others up and increase inclusion so outwardly for their son and others like him! 

Thank you for sharing this moment, Luke. We can’t wait to see what amazing things you do next!