Ducks Digest

Oregon Ducks Football Continues Spencer Webb Tribute Hike

After the former Oregon Football tight end passed away in a cliff-diving accident in 2022, the Oregon Football team began a tradition of climbing Spencer’s Butte in honor of their fallen teammate.
Ally Osborne|
Oct 2, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Oregon Ducks tight end Spencer Webb (18) warms up before the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium.
Oct 2, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Oregon Ducks tight end Spencer Webb (18) warms up before the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. | Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

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To many Oregon Football fans, it may feel hard to believe that it's been two years since Oregon Duck tight end Spencer Webb passed away in a cliff-diving accident near Triangle Lake. Webb’s passing rocked the college football community, especially his teammates that played alongside him.

Since Webb’s untimely death, Oregon Football head coach Dan Lanning began a new tradition to honor Webb. Every year, towards the end of summer workouts, the team summits Spencer’s Butte, a popular hiking spot in Lane County that coincidentally bears the same name as Webb.

“Hey listen, this is something we do every single year,” Lanning said in the beginning of the recent video posted to Oregon Football’s X account, “On your way up, you’re thinking of everyone that got you here.”

The video then plays a previous interview with Webb, as he recounts how the people in his life helped him get to his dream: playing for Oregon. As Webb’s interview plays, shots of Oregon athletes climbing the trail are stitched together.

Oregon Ducks tight end Spencer Webb (18) catches a pass for a touchdown during the second half against the Arizona Wildcats.
Sep 25, 2021; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks tight end Spencer Webb (18) catches a pass for a touchdown during the second half against Arizona Wildcats linebacker at Autzen Stadium. The Ducks won the game 41-19. | Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

The caption of the video, “More than just a hike. Every step has a purpose,” highlights the message behind this tribute.

“You can’t get up here without thinking about our fallen brothers,” Lanning says when the team reaches the top of the butte.

Lanning then mentions Webb, as well as Khyree Jackson, a recent Oregon Duck corner and NFL Draft pick who was tragically killed in a car accident on July 6. The team then gathers together before heading back down the trail.

People leave candles at the entrance to Autzen Stadium during a candlelight vigil in remembrance of Oregon's Spencer Webb.
People leave candles at the entrance to Autzen Stadium during a candlelight vigil in remembrance of Oregon tight end Spencer Webb Thursday, July 14, 2022. Webb died Wednesday in an accident at Triangle Lake. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA

Two tight ends that worked alongside Webb are still at the university: junior Terrance Ferguson and redshirt senior Patrick Herbert. Ferguson was shown quite a few times in this tribute video.

Webb was a redshirt junior for the Oregon Ducks when he passed away. After recovering from an injury in the 2020 season and coming back with a heightened presence on the field in 2021, Webb was expected to be an even bigger influence the next year. He recorded four touchdowns, 31 catches, and 296 yards in his career with the Ducks.

He was 22 years old.

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Ally Osborne
ALLY OSBORNE

A reporter for Oregon Ducks on SI, Ally Osborne is a born and raised Oregonian. She graduated from the University of Oregon's School of Journalism and Communications in 2021 after interning for the Oregon Sports Network with experience working on live sporting broadcasts for ESPN, FOX Sports, the PAC 12 Network, and Runnerspace. Osborne continued her career in Bend, Oregon as a broadcast reporter in 2021 for Central Oregon Daily News while writing for Oregon Ducks on SI. Since then, Osborne is entering her third season reporting for the publication and is frequently the on-site reporter for home games at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. She is currently the host of lifestyle shows "Everyday Northwest" and "Tower Talk Live" for KOIN 6 News in Portland, Oregon. Osborne also works as a sports reporter for KOIN 6's "Game On" sports department. In her free time, Osborne is an avid graphic designer, making art commissions for athletes across her home state. Osborne's designs have even become tattoos for a few Duck athletes.

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