WILLSON GIVES BACK TO KIDS

Lions tight end supports Jumpstart

LaSalle’s Luke Willson was back on the road Tuesday.

While the veteran tight end is getting ready for his first NFL training camp with the Detroit Lions, Willson also knows he wants to give back.

He was in Toronto on Tuesday to announce the new Luke Willson Youth Football Jumpstart Grant in partnership with the Jumpstart program.

“For me, it’s been a passion of mine to try and give back and to try and grow the game of Football in Canada for the youngest,” said the 28-year-old Willson, a Villanova high school product and former member of the Essex Ravens.

He was in London less than two weeks ago for another Jumpstart Games.

“Partnering up with Canadian Tire’s Jumpstart is a great fit,” Willson said. “This is what they do. They remove all the barriers to have to play. It’s a great fit and I’m excited for it.” Willson is donating $25,000, which will be matched by Jumpstart, for the program. The $50,000 is now open for applications from eligible organizations via jumpstart.canadiantire.ca “I don’t think people have a full grasp of the work Jumpstart does,” Willson said. “Since 2005, it’s jaw-dropping the opportunities given to kids, not just in Windsor, but across the country.” Willson stopped in at three Toronto locations on Tuesday to work with nearly 200 children age eight to 13.

“Just doing different stations with kids like an obstacle course, stepladder, throwing stations and catching stations,” Willson said.

Windsor’s Tyrone Crawford, who plays for the Dallas Cowboys, worked with the Jumpstart program in Windsor and Willson stopped in.

“Tyrone does an unbelievable job,” the six-foot-five, 251-pound Willson said. “Jumpstart charities, it’s a pretty special thing. I wanted to give to other kids in other communities.” Jumpstart supports more than 70 different sports and activities. Since 2005, it has helped more than 1.6 million kids across Canada who otherwise could not afford to play. That includes 12,000 in Windsor. “Grants are going to go throughout the country,” said Willson, who won a Super Bowl with Seattle in 2014. “I’m excited and, being from Windsor, I hope Windsor groups apply.

“It’s a countrywide thing and there’s lots of ways to get funding for programs.”

Since 2005, it’s jaw-dropping the opportunities given to kids, not just in Windsor, but across the country.

PHOTOS: SHANNON COULTER Luke Willson gathers his team for a group huddle during a recent Jumpstart Games flag football match in London.

Luke Willson says he’s amazed at the number of children who have been helped by the Jumpstart program — more than 1.6 million and counting.

Luke Willson, an NFL player originally from LaSalle, says “it’s a pretty special thing” helping children get active and participate in sports.