Luke Willson

Early life and baseball career

Luke Michael Willson was born on January 15, 1990, in Windsor, Ontario, to parents Mike and Wilma Willson and was raised in the nearby town of LaSalle. He grew up with three siblings: twin brothers Eric and Greg, and a sister named Rachel. A naturally athletic child, Willson played hockey and baseball from a young age, with his talent in baseball reaching an elite national level. In 2008, he earned a spot on the Canadian Junior National Baseball Team, competing in the IBAF 18U World Cup in Edmonton, where Canada finished in sixth place. His baseball prowess led to a contract with the Toronto Blue Jays organization in 2011, though he ultimately chose to pursue football. Willson attended St. Thomas of Villanova Catholic Secondary School in LaSalle, where he was a three-time all-conference football player. In his senior season, he recorded 29 receptions for 638 yards and eight touchdowns, earning the school's athlete of the year award in both his junior and senior years before graduating in 2008. He also played for the local AAA football club, the Essex Ravens, further developing his skills before moving to the United States for university.

College football at Rice University

Willson committed to play football at Rice University in Houston, Texas, where he played tight end from 2009 through 2012. Due to his baseball commitments in Canada, he reported late to camp in 2008 and redshirted his true freshman year. As a redshirt freshman in 2009, he finished with 7 receptions for 122 yards and one touchdown. His role expanded significantly in his sophomore 2010 season, where he posted 33 receptions for 425 yards and three touchdowns. Prior to his junior 2011 season, Willson received considerable preseason recognition, being selected to the Consensus first-team preseason All Conference USA and to Dave Campbell's Texas Football All-Texas College preseason first team. He was also named to Phil Steele's midseason All-Conference USA team, finishing the year with 29 catches for 313 yards and three touchdowns. His senior 2012 season yielded nine receptions for 126 yards and two touchdowns, which earned him an invitation to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. Despite being selected by the Toronto Argonauts in the 2012 CFL draft, Willson did not sign, opting to pursue an NFL career. His position coach at Rice was former Detroit Lions tight end David Sloan, who helped refine his skills for the professional level.

NFL career

He played in every game as a rookie, scoring his first career touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers. Football Outsiders graded him as the second most valuable rookie tight end that season, a notable achievement given his draft position. The campaign was capped by a victory in Super Bowl XLVIII, where Willson caught two passes for 17 yards in the Seahawks' 43-8 win over the Denver Broncos. In 2014, with starter Zach Miller injured after a Week 4 Super Bowl rematch against Denver, Willson's role increased. He 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 2014 regular season with 22 catches for 362 yards and three touchdowns. In that season's playoffs, he caught four passes for 68 yards and a touchdown in a divisional round game against the 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 win 28-22 and reach a second straight Super Bowl. In Super Bowl XLIX, Willson had no catches as the Seahawks failed to repeat as champions, defeated 28-24 by the New England Patriots, who rallied in the fourth quarter behind quarterback Tom Brady.

On March 17, 2017, Willson re-signed with the Seahawks. After five seasons in Seattle, Willson signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Detroit Lions on March 21, 2018, fulfilling a childhood dream of playing for the team he grew up supporting. On March 29, 2019, Willson was signed by the Oakland Raiders, but was released during final roster cuts on August 30. He returned to the Seahawks on September 25, 2019, 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. On November 17, 2020, Willson was signed to the Baltimore Ravens' practice squad. He was moved to the active roster for the team's Week 11 game against the Tennessee Titans on November 21, and reverted to the practice squad after the game. He was moved to the active roster again for the Week 12 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 2, and reverted to the practice squad after that game before being promoted to the active roster on December 4 and waived on December 19. On December 30, 2020, Willson signed with the practice squad of the Seahawks, was promoted to the active roster on January 6, 2021, and re-signed on August 24, 2021. He announced his retirement the next day, citing a heart-related condition.

Luke Willson played as a tight end in the National Football League for eight seasons. His professional career began when he was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL draft. Over his career, he also played for the Detroit Lions, the Oakland Raiders, and the Baltimore Ravens. Willson ultimately played three separate stints with the Seattle Seahawks before his retirement.

Post-playing career and media work

Following his retirement, Luke Willson quickly established himself in sports media, particularly on Canadian television. During the 2022-23 NFL season and playoffs, he began appearing as an analyst on TSN. By 2025, his role expanded as he joined CFL on TSN as a sideline analyst while continuing as an in-studio analyst on programs such as SportsCentre, SC with Jay Onrait, and OverDrive, as well as CTV/TSN's NFL broadcasts. In October 2025, Willson launched his own weekly podcast titled "Film Never Lies," which covers his life in professional football and features interviews with guests from sports and pop culture. Notable guests have included former Seahawks teammates Marshawn Lynch and Jimmy Graham, soccer star Alphonso Davies, former Major League Baseball player Michael Saunders, and former NFL defensive lineman Tyrone Crawford. Willson has also been involved in coaching, taking on a role as an H/TE coach in 2026, participating in spring camps and training camps to mentor younger players. In his coaching capacity, he has spoken about his transition into the role, why he chose his specific program, and what he looks forward to in his new position working with athletes.

Personal life and community involvement

Willson has been open about the importance of his Catholic faith, attributing much of his success in life to being part of the Catholic Church. During his playing days in Seattle, he had a recurring guest spot titled "The End Zone with Luke Willson" on the BJ & Migs Mornings show on radio station 99.9 KISW, known as "The Rock of Seattle." He has maintained strong ties to his Canadian roots, notably returning to his high school, St. Thomas of Villanova in LaSalle, to present a golden football from the NFL to honour Super Bowl 50 as part of the league's High School Honor Roll program. Willson's family, including his parents and siblings, were frequently noted as a supportive presence throughout his career, particularly during his Super Bowl appearances, with Canadian media covering their journey to the games. His story has been covered by major Canadian news outlets including CBC News and CTV News, highlighting his journey from LaSalle to the NFL's biggest stage and his status as one of just fifteen Canadians to play in a Super Bowl.

Career highlights and legacy

Luke Willson's career is marked by several key achievements that cement his place in Canadian sports history. His most significant accomplishment was winning Super Bowl XLVIII with the Seattle Seahawks in the 2013 season, a victory that made him one of a select group of Canadians to earn a Super Bowl ring. He also played in a second consecutive Super Bowl the following year, experiencing both the pinnacle of victory and the heartbreak of a close defeat. Beyond team success, Willson had several notable individual performances, including a 139-yard, two-touchdown game against the Arizona Cardinals in 2014 and a game-winning touchdown catch against Carolina that same year. His journey from a fifth-round draft pick to a reliable contributor on a championship team serves as an inspiration for Canadian athletes aspiring to reach the NFL. His post-retirement transition into broadcasting and coaching demonstrates a continued commitment to football and to mentoring the next generation of players, ensuring his knowledge and experience benefit the sport in Canada.

A key career milestone was winning Super Bowl XLVIII with the Seattle Seahawks in his rookie season. He also played in a second consecutive Super Bowl the following season. Willson scored his first NFL touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the 2013 season. He later caught a game winning touchdown pass against the Carolina Panthers in week 8 of the 2014 season.

• 2008: Member of Canadian Junior National Baseball team at IBAF 18U World Cup.
• 2011: Signed with Toronto Blue Jays organization. Named to Phil Steele's midseason All-Conference USA team.
• 2012: Selected by Toronto Argonauts in CFL draft. Invited to NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
• February 2, 2014: Won Super Bowl XLVIII, catching two passes for 17 yards.
• December 21, 2014: Recorded a career-high 139 receiving yards and two touchdowns against the Arizona Cardinals.
• March 21, 2018: Signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Lions.
• August 25, 2021: Announced his retirement from the NFL.
• 2025: Launched the "Film Never Lies" podcast and joined CFL on TSN as an analyst.
• 2026: Began a coaching role as an H/TE coach, participating in spring camp and training camp.

Questions about Luke Willson

Is Luke Willson a Super Bowl champion?

Yes, Luke Willson is a Super Bowl champion. He won Super Bowl XLVIII as a rookie with the Seattle Seahawks in the 2013 season. In that game, a 43-8 victory over the Denver Broncos, Willson caught two passes for 17 yards. This achievement made him one of only fifteen Canadian-born players to have won the Vince Lombardi Trophy. He also played in Super Bowl XLIX the following season, though the Seahawks lost to the New England Patriots.

What teams did Luke Willson play for in the NFL?

Luke Willson played for four different NFL franchises over his eight-year career, with multiple stints for the Seattle Seahawks. His primary team was the Seahawks, where he played from 2013 to 2017, again in 2019, and in parts of 2020 and 2021. He spent the 2018 season with the Detroit Lions, had a brief offseason stint with the Oakland Raiders in 2019, and played part of the 2020 season with the Baltimore Ravens before returning to Seattle. His career was characterized by his versatility and repeated returns to the Seahawks organization.

Why did Luke Willson retire from the NFL?

Luke Willson announced his retirement from the NFL on August 25, 2021, one day after re-signing with the Seattle Seahawks. He cited a heart-related condition as the reason for his decision to step away from professional football. The retirement came after an eight-year career that included a Super Bowl victory and established him as a reliable tight end. Willson transitioned smoothly into a media career following his retirement, avoiding speculation about a potential return to playing.

What is Luke Willson doing now after football?

Since retiring, Luke Willson has built a career in sports media and has moved into coaching. He works as an analyst for TSN, appearing on NFL and CFL broadcasts, SportsCentre, and other shows like OverDrive. In October 2025, he launched his own podcast called "Film Never Lies," where he interviews sports and pop culture figures. As of 2026, Willson has also taken on a coaching role, serving as an H/TE coach and participating in spring training camps to work with developing players.

Did Luke Willson play any sports other than football?

Yes, Luke Willson was an accomplished baseball player before focusing on football. In 2008, he played for the Canadian Junior National Baseball Team, competing in the IBAF 18U World Cup in Edmonton. His performance led to him signing a contract with the Toronto Blue Jays organization in 2011. However, he ultimately decided to return to football and pursue his NFL career, leaving his promising baseball path behind after his commitment to Rice University.

Where is Luke Willson from in Canada?

Luke Willson is from LaSalle, Ontario, a town near Windsor in southwestern Ontario. He was born in Windsor on January 15, 1990, to parents Mike and Wilma Willson and was raised in LaSalle with his three siblings. He attended St. Thomas of Villanova Catholic Secondary School in LaSalle, where he excelled in football and was named athlete of the year twice. Willson has frequently returned to his hometown and high school for community events, maintaining a strong connection to his Canadian roots throughout his career.

Sources and further reading

• Luke Willson (Wikipedia)
• Luke Willson | Windsor Public Library (windsorpubliclibrary.com)
• Luke Willson Stats, News and Video, TE (nfl.com)

Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-28.