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Knighthawks plan Tucker Out Lymphoma Night

Mar 24, 2023 | Sports Scene

The Rochester Knighthawks, in partnership with the Las Vegas Desert Dogs, are proud to support the inaugural “Tucker Out Lymphoma Night” game, scheduled for Saturday, March 25, with the first-ever meeting between the two teams at Michelob ULTRA Arena.

“We are honored to be involved in Tucker Out Lymphoma Night,” said Knighthawks General Manager Dan Carey. “Tucker’s story and his Braver Than Brave spirit is something that continues to inspire all of us, not only within the NLL community, but the entire lacrosse community.”

The event, aimed at raising significant awareness and donations for organizations associated with childhood cancer, honors Tucker Williams, the son of Las Vegas Head Coach and General Manager Shawn Williams, who passed away in December 2014 following a courageous battle with Burkitt’s Lymphoma.

In response to Tucker’s diagnosis while Williams was playing for the Buffalo Bandits, the franchise and city of Buffalo rallied around Tucker and the Williams family by hosting the first-ever Tucker Out Lymphoma Night on April 5, 2014. The annual game has continued in Buffalo ever since and has raised over $150,000 for pediatric cancer care in Tucker’s honor since that first night.

Williams, who was inducted into the NLL Hall of Fame in 2021, spent 10 of his 17 pro seasons with the original Knighthawks from 2002-2011. He posted his best season with Rochester in 2004 when he finished third in the league in goals (45) and eighth in points (81) on his way to earning NLL First Team All-Pro honors. A six-time NLL All-Star, Williams led the Knighthawks to the 2007 Champion’s Cup after a 91-point campaign during the regular season. He retired following the 2014 season ranked eighth on the NLL’s all-time scoring list with 1,152 points over 257 career games.

The Knighthawks will join the Desert Dogs, currently in their first season in the National Lacrosse League, in wearing specialty Tucker Out Lymphoma jerseys during the game, which are now available for auction via DASH at https://web.dashapp.io/team/desertdogs/event/64138a674c897e04196ce979.

Jersey winners will have the option of picking them up in-person at an upcoming Knighthawks home game or having them shipped directly to their residence from Las Vegas.

Tucker is remembered for his “Braver than Brave” spirit in his fight against lymphoma, with the original superhero logo designed by a member of the extended Williams family featured on the front crest of the jerseys. The official color of lymphoma awareness, lime green, is featured prominently on the jersey.

Fans can bid on the jerseys through 8 p.m. Sunday, March 26, in addition to other one-of-a-kind specialty items and autographed memorabilia.

The opening bids for all jerseys are valued at $151.51, a tribute to Tucker’s #51 lacrosse number he proudly wore.

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