'The best of you will live in all of us': Drew Brees honors late 15-year-old Luke Siegel

Luke Siegel lived to only age 15, but the Lubbock, Texas, youngster was remembered Saturday for the impact his life had, especially in the past six years. 

After Luke suffered a traumatic brain injury in late July 2015, former Texas Tech tennis coach Tim Siegel chronicled the highs and lows of his son's struggle through surgeries and daily therapy with regular posts on social media. Luke's journey led to a charitable foundation bearing his name and widespread awareness that extended to professional athletes and coaches.

Pastor Chuck Angel told those attending Luke's funeral Saturday at United Supermarkets Arena that they should focus on more than the brevity of life. 

"If we change the metric for measuring life from time to impact," Angel said, "then we can say Luke lived a full life. In fact, many of us will live more years than Luke, but I'm not sure we'll ever match his impact. I don't know many people who can say that their range of impact has included a Super Bowl MVP all the way to a soccer mom.

"He inspired, he motivated professional athletes — not only that, medical professionals, schoolteachers, students, elite coaches, college athletes, just everyday people."

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Luke died on Aug. 19 after a brief illness. The Siegels' lives changed July 28, 2015, when Luke suffered head and chest trauma in a golf cart accident, leading to cardiac arrest that resulted in anoxic brain injury.

"We were told Luke would never use his limbs, never use his voice and he should never open his eyes," Tim Siegel said. "He proved everyone wrong, and he did that because he was a fighter."

Though Luke could not speak after the accident, he communicated by moving his tongue in response to questions. Rather than keep his son sheltered, Tim Siegel took  him out and about in the community and on trips. Pictures of Luke surrounded by sports teams and others became ubiquitous.

His struggle for recovery gained the attention of New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, former Texas Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus, basketball analyst Dick Vitale and an array of tennis stars. ESPN told his story last December with a segment on Sunday NFL Countdown. 

"Although Luke could not verbally speak, his message was powerful," said tennis professional Bobby Banck, a close friend of Tim Siegel's since their youth-tournament years. "Luke impacted thousands and thousands of people, but did not only impact lives; he changed lives. He taught children compassion and hard work. He made dads want to be better fathers. He made moms want to be better moms. He brought families together."

Luke loved sports and, his father said, "His goal in life was to be the best second baseman in the world." 

Not long after Luke's accident, a friend reached out on Tim Siegel's behalf to Brees, the retired New Orleans Saints great. The Saints are Siegel's favorite team dating to his early years in New Orleans. Before the accident, Tim Siegel and his son had pledged to make an annual trip to a Saints game — a vow they fulfilled in 2012, 2013 and 2014, plus another eight times since 2016.

Brees, a 13-time Pro Bowl selection in a 20-year NFL career, came to Lubbock in May 2018 as the featured speaker at a Team Luke Hope for Minds fundraiser. He also began the service Saturday with a taped message shown on the arena videoboard. 

"Luke, I can remember the first time I met you," he said. "It was at a Saints practice before a game, one which we probably weren't supposed to win, and I can remember looking at you and saying, 'Luke, you're our good-luck charm. Because you're here, I've got a great feeling about this one.' 

"We ended up winning that game, and there were many, many more after that that you had a chance to be a part of and experience and bring us through. You were certainly our good-luck charm. 

"Your strength and courage and your fight motivated us more than you ever could imagine. To watch the extraordinary love of your family, your father Tim and your community as they rallied around you was truly awe-inspiring. I know this Luke, I'm a better person for having had a chance to know you and I know the best of you will live in all of us for the rest of our lives."

In 2018, Team Luke merged with Hope for Minds, an Austin, Texas, foundation with a similar mission to aide children with brain injuries and their families. Team Luke Hope for Minds has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars. According to information Texas Tech published Friday, the foundation this year has supported 95 families and distributed more than $350,000 in grants.

"Luke's legacy will live forever. I will make sure of that," Tim Siegel said. "We will continue to help other families in his memory."