Spencer Webb: Much More than a Football Player
Today you get a little different Jhop. A very somber Jhop that gets to show a little more of his fan side.
Not necessarily a fan of the Ducks, but perhaps a fan of a Duck.
His passing is a very emotional reminder of how precious life is. If you take a look at Facebook or Twitter or any social media, it’s abundantly clear how much Spencer Webb was loved. By fans, by teammates, by current and former coaches.
And he wasn’t loved because he was this amazing football player. I mean he plays for the Ducks, he’s a terrific player that showed some very strong upside that was still developing.
Here’s what I absolutely loved most about Spencer Webb the player.
He never quit. He didn’t transfer. He didn’t whine about not getting enough passes his direction. The guy just kept going even when his snaps had decreased.
It didn’t mean he couldn’t get them back, he just had some work left to do.
And instead of leaving, as players often do, he kept his head down and kept working. I’m going to bet the thought of leaving Oregon never even crossed his mind.
I think those that coached him would say he was his own worst enemy at times. He could maybe lose focus a bit and that kept him from taking that next step. Folks had told me this Spring was a massive, MASSIVE step forward for Webb.
Once again, instead of leaving, which is the new trend, he committed to his craft. That says a lot about Spencer Webb the person. He’d even be the first one to admit when he was struggling, it was his own fault. He owned it. His humility was part of his charm.
But man did he love being a Duck, playing at Autzen and wearing the O on his uniform.
I had the pleasure of talking to Spencer frequently out of high school. And his story, which we all know pretty well was inspiring. Here’s a kid who shouldn’t have made it, but was ultimately given a second chance. And instead of whining about his circumstances, he worked his ass off. On the field, in the classroom, in life.
If you haven’t read this story, from Scott Reed back in 2017, it’s worth a revisit.
I’ve met people that I believe remind me a lot of Spencer. And I hope my description of him is relatively accurate.
But there’s people in life you meet that operate with a little ‘chaos.’ They are the kind of people that push the limits but are some of the most engaging people out there. They do what most of us talk about doing. Almost like a screw is loose but not in a bad way.
He was this giant shining star of a person. So bright. Just so much passion and love. Always smiling, always having fun. Always willing to help.
He interacted with fans. He kept in touch with old friends and coaches. My phone was off the hook last night when the news was developing and even more so when it officially broke.
Again just this massive light that brightened your day touching so many lives.
I’m touched by the outpouring I’ve read in the last 15 hours or so. I’m also touched by the connection fans felt to Spencer. From meeting him, to seeing him around town or him crowd-surfing post game…. so many special moments he touched us all with.
I know this story doesn’t do the loss of a life justice. But as a parent, who could never imagine losing a child this one does hurt. And I know there are so many people he touched feeling this in a much bigger way than myself.
Moments like this remind us of something we tend to often forget.
College football and athletics is filled with KIDS. With Humans. With someone’s son or daughter. Someone’s best friend. Someone’s closest teammate.
This is the element we often lose on Saturday’s.
They’re just kids that live a REAL life outside of Autzen stadium.
Spencer had every reason to quit. Quit football. Quit doing his schoolwork. Quit being a nice guy.
And instead of doing that he not only worked his way into his dream school, he became this ball of positivity around you.
I’m proud to call Spencer Webb a Duck. Forever a Duck.
RIP Spencer Webb. Thank you for making us all proud.
