Four things to know about Spencer Webb, who starred at Oregon and Christian Brothers

Spencer Webb wasn’t just a long and lanky football player who could evade defenders, catch the ball and score touchdowns, much to joy of Oregon Ducks fans.

Webb was more than just a baller. He was a beloved young man, a giver, a motivator, an example of overcoming odds. He was admired by Christian Brothers High School students who appreciated his returns to campus, his alma mater, to talk about the prep journey, of finding your way, and what it means to be a teammate.

Webb regularly stopped by the Sacramento campus to visit coaches and student-athletes. His last visit was last month. Webb died Wednesday afternoon in a cliff-diving accident in Lane County in Oregon, weeks shy of the start of the tight end’s junior season with the Ducks.

A closer peek at Webb the player and the young man:

Rising above

Webb rose from shattered roots to promising future, motivated to excel through football. His was a story of perseverance. He lived with family friends, aunts and uncles, grandparents and, finally, older brother Cody Webb, who took him into his West Sacramento home halfway through his high school years. He also told his kid brother that he’d sit on him, if needed, to keep him out of trouble.

“My parents left when I was young, and my mom missed out and my dad and I started to talk again, so I appreciate that,” Webb told The Bee in 2020. He later said, “Football is my out, my escape, my chance to be me.”

Lost student becomes national recruit

Webb ran into mischief as an early teen, and he nearly flushed out academically. He became a good student at Christian Brothers, often hearing his brother’s voice, “No grades, no games.” He was a Sacramento Bee All-Metro tight end and a member of The Bee’s All-Decade team for the 2010s. Webb practiced hard and hit the weights with just as much gusto.

Webb was offered full athletic scholarships by colleges across the country but loved Oregon. That was his dream destination. So he chose Oregon, where the 6-foot-6, 235-pounder saw action his final two seasons.

Tattoos tell a story

Webb covered his left arm in tattoos once his arrived in Eugene, none more striking and telling than the words of, “Forever Blessed.” Webb said he was blessed to have been “saved” by his brother Cody, to receive a scholarship, to be able to compete in college athletics.

Webb’s romance

A day before his accident, Webb went public on his Instagram that he was dating a model, Kelly Kay, an Instagram and OnlyFans model who has more than 740,000 Instagram followers.

Kay made news at the 2020 Super Bowl by rushing the field and flashing the crowd. She was arrested and charged with misdemeanor trespass.