For some, the Nebraska Cornhuskers are just a football team. For others, cheering on the Huskers is a lifestyle. Freshman Jagger Casey is one of these people, as he dedicates a large portion of his time to football, whether it is here at Louisville, or on a larger scale, like at Memorial Stadium.
Jagger’s dad, Dan Casey, stated, “It’s just a fandom that runs in my blood, and I have passed that down to Jagger.”
This year, on November 1st, Jagger stepped out onto the field alongside the rest of the University of Nebraska Football Team for one of their home games.
This day was possible thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Over 16,000 wishes are granted each year to help kids that are going through tough times. Since 2023 alone, this foundation has fulfilled over 500 sports-related wishes. Jagger Casey, who was born with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, is one of these kids who was granted a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. When UNL head coach Matt Rhule heard that Casey had a wish of becoming a part of the Huskers, he knew he had to make it happen.
The events started on October 31st, when the Casey family arrived in Lincoln. Dan Casey said, “That evening, Make-A-Wish partnered with Fanatics for a Husker shopping spree.”
Friday was filled with even more Husker fun. It began with being welcomed into the Osborne Legacy Complex from student athletes and getting a behind the scenes tour of the football field. Later, Jagger was able to get a tour of the locker room, and caught a very first look at the blackout field. In the afternoon, Jagger was able to talk about his experience with Muscular Dystrophy at the team meeting. He then got to do media pictures and was featured in a radio interview for Husker Radio Network.
Before long, the big day arrived. Saturday, November 1st: the day Nebraska was set to go against the University of Southern California. Early in the morning, the Caseys were awoken by a call from none other than Coach Rhule. He wanted Jagger at the morning walk through and gave him a crystal- encrusted “N” necklace that, according to Dan Casey, “only a handful of players have received.” Jagger and his family then arrived at the hotel that the players were staying at and watched a hype video that got everyone excited for the upcoming game. After that, Jagger says, “We went onto the buses over to the stadium to do the legacy walk.”
It was after the legacy walk when Jagger was approached by news anchors and featured on live television as they asked him questions. After hanging out on the field for a little bit, it was time for the most exciting part: The Tunnel Walk. Jagger describes the feeling of getting to walk out with the players: “It was really great and [the stadium] was really loud.”
Then, it was time for the Huskers to face off against the Trojans. “We first sat in one of the suites, but then someone else gave us tickets to go down right in front of the student section,” Jagger said.
The best part about this experience, as Jagger describes it, was getting to meet the team and all of the players. Throughout the day, Jagger got the chance to interact with all the Huskers and get to know them on a deeper level. He even got to have lunch with Dylan Raiola and Emmett Johnson, and played video games with the rest of the team.
Jagger described the team atmosphere by saying, “They were all the nicest people ever.”
Being able to talk with all the players was the most memorable part of this whole day for Jagger. Although Emmet Johnson was his favorite player to meet, getting to meet the whole team was such a special experience for Jagger.
“I got a signed jersey by Dylan Raiola, and I got the whole football team to sign a football helmet.”
Being a part of a team means taking part in something bigger than yourself. The members of the Husker Football Team understand that even if they can make one wish come true, then they have created a lasting impact. For Casey, this impact will be carried on for a long time.