Former Lake Stevens football star gets Fiesta Bowl spotlight

Washington Husky walk-on Josh Rasmussen conversed in sign language with a Special Olympics athlete.

On Dec. 28, two days before the University of Washington football team was scheduled to compete in the Fiesta Bowl, Huskies players and coaches visited with about 50 children from Arizona Special Olympics in Scottsdale, Arizona.

UW redshirt sophomore wide receiver Josh Rasmussen was asked by a Huskies staff member to meet and talk with one of the children, a deaf boy.

“I had only taken one quarter of (sign language), so I wasn’t super familiar with it, but I was able to ask him some basic stuff,” said Rasmussen, a 2015 graduate of Lake Stevens High School. “It was a cool experience to have the opportunity to use my skills outside of class.”

The Pac-12 Network captured the conversation on video, which turned into a popular piece of social media. The video has received 121,000 views and 2,157 “likes” on the Fiesta Bowl’s Twitter account.

A clip of the video also was shown by ESPN during the Fiesta Bowl broadcast, followed by a live shot of Rasmussen on the sideline.

“I was surprised that it took off like that,” Rasmussen said. “It’s humbling to have a platform as a student-athlete to help raise awareness for issues like these.”

Rasmussen’s interest in sign language happened somewhat by chance. Before the start of this school year, he changed his major from business to communications, which meant he had to take a year’s worth of foreign language classes.

“I chose sign language because a lot of the guys on the football team had taken it, and I felt like it would be an interesting class to take, and it has been,” he said. “It’s weird to not be able to use your voice, but you learn to use body language and gestures to communicate. We also learn a lot about the culture and the things (deaf people) go through.”

Rasmussen currently is taking his second sign language class, and will take a third in the spring. He said he could take more classes next year as well.

“I’m still on beginner-level stuff, but I think with more practice and learning I can get better and more fluent,” he said. “One of the challenges is that different signs can look similar, so you could be signing one thing and mean something else.”

Rasmussen walked on to the UW football team in 2015, redshirting his freshman year. He spent the past two seasons primarily on the scout team, helping the Huskies’ defensive players prepare for their next game.

He’s hoping to eventually earn some playing time on special teams.

“Being a walk-on is a challenging role,” he said. “You just have to go out there every day and attack it and do your job and accept what comes and keep working hard. If you do that, hopefully coaches can see the impact you’re having, and hopefully that will lead to time on the field.”

But no matter what ends up happening on the football field, Rasmussen has enjoyed his time at UW.

“I don’t think there’s anywhere else I’d rather be,” he said. “The academics are great, my social life is great, and being a part of the football team is something special.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 8-17

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 8-17. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Silvertips’ playoff picture coming together as season hits final week

Everett is officially the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed and is likely heading into a matchup with Kelowna or Vancouver.

X
Prep roundup for Monday, March 18

Prep roundup for Monday, March 18: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Los Angeles Rams offensive guard Tremayne Anchrum (72) against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Seahawks add to position of need, sign guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr.

The 25-year-old has played in 31 games, starting once, since being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020.

Everett Community College head coach Chet Hovde watches as the women's team practices on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
EvCC coach Chet Hovde, who ‘lived for’ basketball, dies at 77

Coach Hovde graduated from Everett High School in 1965. He spent 33 years as the women’s basketball coach at the community college.

Jackson’s Ian Friedrichsen celebrates his goal with his teammates during the game against Bothell on Thursday, May 11, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys soccer: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines for this high school boys soccer season

Jackson’s Rachel Sysum is hugged by Leneyah Mitchell after hitting a home run during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep softball: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines to keep an eye on this high school softball season.

X
Prep roundup for Friday, March 15

Prep roundup for Friday, March 15: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Glacier Peak’s Samantha Christensen runs to home plate to celebrate her home run with her teammates during the game against Snohomish on Friday, March 15, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
GALLERY: Glacier Peak softball tops rival Snohomish

The Grizzlies prevail 9-5 in a clash of area powers.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

The Washington Wolfpack logo is revealed during the Everett AFL team unveiling at Tony V's Garage in Everett, Washington onThursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett’s new arena football team to have 4 televised games

The NFL Network will broadcast 30 AFL games this season, including two Wolfpack home games.

Washington coach Mike Hopkins yells to the team during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Seattle. California won 82-80. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Looking back at Mike Hopkins’ turbulent tenure as UW men’s basketball coach

The departing Huskies coach had highs early, but the good times didn’t last long.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.