When former Athens High football coach Garner Ezell looks back on Jason Lucas’ career, he doesn’t think of the outstanding athlete who played multiple positions. He first thinks of the outstanding person who was a leader of the

team.

“He was a great player for us, but an even better person,” Ezell said of Lucas. “He had a great work ethic and attitude, and brought positive energy with him every day to practice. To me, he exemplifies what it means to be a Golden Eagle.”

That athletic ability combined with his attitude and work ethic is a reason Lucas will be inducted into the Limestone County Sports Hall of Fame at its June 8 banquet.

“It left me speechless, because this late in life you’re not sure you’re going to still be remembered,” Lucas said about his Hall of Fame induction. “Thirty years later, and people still remember me. I felt great about it when I found out, and I still feel great.”

Lucas, who was at Athens High from 1988-1992, starred on the football team, and also participated in soccer and track and field. He rushed for 2,100 yards during his career for the Golden Eagles, and earned a football scholarship to Alabama State University in Montgomery, where he played wide receiver and was a kick and punt returner for the Hornets.

“Anytime he touched the ball, something special could happen,” Ezell said. “I don’t know that he ever came off the field for us. He played offense, defense and special teams. On offense he was one of our top running backs. He had great vision and was an instinctive runner with great hands. He was also a great defensive back, who could come up and hit you on the run, and also drop back and cover receivers.” But that athletic ability was combined with a personality that resonated with Ezell and the rest of the Golden Eagles players.

“Sometimes you see someone that has a great attitude, but not a lot of ability,” Ezell said. “And sometimes a person with great ability won’t have the attitude you like. But Jason had it all. That’s what set him apart from so many others.”

Lucas thanked his coaches not only in football, but in all the sports he participated in at Athens High, for helping him reach his potential.

“The coaching staffs for whatever sport I played were just so encouraging,” Lucas said. “They gave me the opportunity to participate in each sport. They said ‘If you want to play, we’re going to give you the opportunities to play.’ People knowing you have a skill and who are willing to allow you to use that skill on their team is great.”

Lucas is now the finance manager for Reinhardt Toyota in Montgomery. He said he is looking forward to attending the Hall of Fame banquet and reconnecting with old teammates and coaches. “I can’t wait,” Lucas said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Ezell said he was proud of Lucas for being inducted into the Hall of Fame, not just for his athletic ability, but for his attitude as well.

“He’s the kind of person you’d want your own children to be like,” Ezell said. “If you had a son like Jason Lucas, you’d be thrilled, because he’s just a good person. That’s what makes it special for me, to see somebody like him that had all those postive characteristics being inducted into the Hall of Fame.”