High school football players often yearn for one final opportunity to compete on the gridiron after completing their senior seasons, but when senior Ethan Owens represented Yelm in his high school football swan song this week in Federal Way, he had more than competition on his mind.
The first team South Puget Sound All League linebacker Owens recognized multiple family members who have battled severe illness as he competed and started in the annual Cleats vs. Cancer All-Star game Monday, Jan. 20, at Federal Way Memorial Stadium.
In his final game of his high school career, he honored his mother, Jamie, two grandfathers and a great-aunt — all of whom have battled cancer.
The Cleats vs. Cancer All-Star Game was created in 2018 by Derek Sparks, who was a former Washington State Cougars running back and 1994 Alamo Bowl veteran.
The game features many of Washington state’s outstanding senior football players, and proceeds from the contest benefit children and families battling cancer; it is the first high school all-star game to do so.
The contest was originally launched by Sparks, who at the time was an assistant coach at Pacific Lutheran University, after his daughter Ze’Lee battled acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2018.
She prevailed in her battle against cancer, but sadly, her father passed away in November 2021 after his own battle with pancreatic cancer.
For Owens, competing in the Cleats vs. Cancer All-Star game was special. During halftime of the annual competition, Owens and his family were honored midfield and awarded a $2,000 scholarship in Jamie Owens’ name. The senior athlete said this moment meant a lot to him and embodied what the Cleats vs. Cancer All-Star game stands for.
“I love that the Cleats vs. Cancer game is supporting people who have gone through, and are going through, cancer,” Ethan Owens said. “It’s just an uplifting cause, and it hits home a little for me because my mom went through it. I wanted to play for her and really show that everyone can be strong.”
Owens was Team South’s starting middle linebacker for the annual Cleats vs. Cancer game, and though the YHS student’s team lost 24-7, he still described the opportunity to compete for such a big cause as one of his favorite memories from football.
“In that moment, I just wanted to hug my mom and show her that I supported her. I just wanted to let her know that I support and love her no matter what. She’s the strongest person I have in my life,” Owens said. “I was stunned when we got this opportunity. When we got the call that we were selected, I was like, wow. Why us? I’m grateful for it, but I also want it to be put to good use. It’s very honoring.”
Though Owens said he isn’t exactly sure what the parameters of his scholarship opportunity will be, he anticipates the funds going toward his college tuition. The linebacker added that it was an incredibly special moment to receive that honor with his family on the field.
He was also thrilled with his performance in the annual all-star game, as he competed for Team South’s starting defense and several of the special teams units, though the punting and kicking phases of the game were much more relaxed than what he experienced on Friday nights. His play of the game occurred shortly after halftime when he sniffed out a screen pass from Team North and delivered a thunderous tackle to the ball carrier, leading to a collective gasp and roar from the crowd.
“I feel like I did pretty good out there. I definitely led the team in tackles today as I had seven or eight tackles. I was all over the place. It was a pretty good day, but it wasn’t the outcome we wanted with the score,” Owens said. “No matter how big or small you are, always keep going. Believe in yourself, and don’t give up.”