"Big Luke" Remembered

Jenn Boehm
Monday April 10, 2006

One year ago, the AFL suffered an incredible loss. A most-dedicated player and extraordinary human being, Los Angeles lineman Al Lucas, sustained a spinal cord injury during a tackle on a kickoff return in a game vs. New York on April 10, 2005. He later died from his injuries. He was 26.

Al Lucas Image courtesy of Tampa Bay Storm

"Big Luke," as he was known, not only played the game with integrity and passion, but he touched so very many people along his life’s journey. Tales of his humor, kind spirit and positive influence have been endlessly and endearingly shared by multitudes. An aggressive giant on the field, Lucas filled in as a substitute teacher and served as an assistant coach at his old high school in Macon, Ga. during the offseason. Imaging this 300-pound man sauntering through locker-lined hallways in impressive designer suits makes me smile. As does the shared knowledge of hope and inspiration that Lucas brought to countless youngsters…and, truth be told, adults. And, his legacy lives on.

This weekend, the Little League field in East Macon Park where Lucas played baseball was renamed Albert James Lucas "Big Luke" Memorial Field. Later this month, the Lucas family will present six scholarships to student-athletes, part of the college scholarship fund for local teenagers started by his father, David Lucas. At the end of the AFL season, the League will honor a player with the Al Lucas Award, which was renamed (from Hero Award) in Lucas’ honor and is given each year in recognition of outstanding merits both on the field and in the community.

You know, there is a guest book on the Macon Telegraph Web site for Al Lucas. There are more than a thousand entries, sharing touching stories, appreciation and sympathies. May his wife, daughter, family and friends be comforted by the love of many – players, coaches, officials, fans and everyone touched by Big Luke.


BRIGADE BUILDERS
There’s a new house going up today in Kansas City. That’s right, Kansas City Brigade players, coaches, cheerleaders and staff are donning hard hats and work gloves as part of Habitat for Humanity and helping to build a house from the ground up

Brigade lineman Lucas Yarnell took the lead for the event on the players side, whereas he has been involved with construction and renovations before, freelancing during the offseason. He’s the honorary foreman for the event.

Said Yarnell: "It is always good to help others, but this is certainly a charity near-and-dear to a lot of people’s hearts. Nine of our players played in New Orleans last season and with all of the devastation due to Hurricane Katrina a lot of houses were destroyed. To now provide a home for a family in Kansas City is exciting and all the guys on the Brigade team will have smiles on our faces as we hammer away."

If only we all had a hammer…

 

The opinions expressed in the article above are only those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts, opinions, or official stance of ArenaFan Online or its staff, or the Arena Football League, or any AFL or af2 teams.

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"Big Luke" Remembered 4/10/2006
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