The Oregon Ducks football team recently completed a poignant tradition by hiking to honor two fallen teammates, tight end Spencer Webb and cornerback Khyree Jackson. This year marks the third iteration of the Spencer Butte hike, which serves as a symbolic conclusion to the summer off-season under the leadership of head coach Dan Lanning. The athletes traversed a challenging 1.7-mile uphill trek to reach the 2,000-foot peak, the highest natural elevation in the county, providing sweeping views of Autzen Stadium.
The choice of Spencer Butte for the hike carries deep significance, as it bears Webb’s first name. Webb tragically passed away in a cliff diving accident on July 13, 2022, while Jackson lost his life two years later after being struck by a drunk driver on July 6, 2024. Lanning addressed the team at the summit, reflecting on the legacies of both players.
“So look, we do this every single year,” Lanning stated. “Some of you guys know, some of you don’t know, why we do that. We have a fallen brother. Spencer Webb. We have another fallen brother, Khyree Jackson, that don’t get to sit where you’re sitting right now. Part of this team, lost too soon and we don’t get the opportunity to enjoy that moment with them anymore so part of this is remembrance for those guys who were a part of our team. Once you’re part of our team, you’re forever a part of our team.”
The hike not only serves as a tribute but also symbolizes the end of summer workouts. Lanning emphasized the importance of looking forward. “You should have a sense of accomplishment. But you’ve also got to realize there’s more on that plate to eat and you want to finish the plate,” he said.
As footage of the athletes making their way up the butte played, key players like wide receiver Jurrion Dickey, linebacker Bryce Boettcher, and freshman quarterback Akili Smith Jr. reflected solemnly on the hike’s significance. This year, the team no longer includes any current tight ends who played alongside Webb or cornerbacks who were teammates with Jackson. The last tight ends to play with Webb, Patrick Herbert and Terrance Ferguson, graduated last year, with Ferguson notably changing his NFL number to Webb’s No. 8 in honor of his late friend.
While many of the current Ducks may not have directly known Webb and Jackson, former players continue to mourn their loss. Just weeks ago, Traeshon Holden, a former Ducks wide receiver now with the Dallas Cowboys, shared his sentiments on social media, stating, “1 year without you 5 I miss you so much.”
In honor of Jackson’s legacy, the Khyree Jackson Foundation, established by his parents, is offering a scholarship of $1,000 to a senior student from his alma mater, Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, who is set to attend a four-year college or junior college. Additionally, Webb’s brother, Cody Webb, organizes a football camp each July at Christian Brothers High School, his own alma mater, to keep Spencer’s dreams alive.
“You’re kind of reliving what his dreams were kind of outside of football,” Cody Webb said in an interview with FOX 40 in Sacramento. “To help kids and things of that sort. So, to kind of keep that torch going on his behalf is a bit emotional, but it’s in a positive way.”
The hike not only honors the past but fosters a sense of community and continuity among the Oregon Ducks, ensuring that the memories of Spencer Webb and Khyree Jackson will endure within the program.