Awards & Honors:

• 2017: Hazeltine Iron Man Award
• 2016: Thomas Herrion Memorial Award, PFWA All-Rookie Team

Goldmine:

• When Buckner was 13 years old, his father, George, was involved in a motorcycle accident that left him in a coma for six months. Upon his awakening, George summoned DeForest to his bedside, where the two had a ‘man-to-man’ conversation, as his mother, Maria, puts it. After the life-changing event and heartfelt conversation, that is when Buckner believes he became a man and took more responsibility with his family. He became a mentor" to his younger brother, Kenya, and began to understand the values his father had instilled in him. "He was hard on us, and disciplined us, shaped us, Buckner said. “He taught us about respect, that it’s earned and you have to treat everyone around you like you want to be treated."

Click Here to See DeForest Buckner’s Full Bio

Awards & Honors:

• 2017: Hazeltine Iron Man Award
• 2016: Thomas Herrion Memorial Award, PFWA All-Rookie Team

Goldmine:

• When Buckner was 13 years old, his father, George, was involved in a motorcycle accident that left him in a coma for six months. Upon his awakening, George summoned DeForest to his bedside, where the two had a ‘man-to-man’ conversation, as his mother, Maria, puts it. After the life-changing event and heartfelt conversation, that is when Buckner believes he became a man and took more responsibility with his family. He became a mentor" to his younger brother, Kenya, and began to understand the values his father had instilled in him. "He was hard on us, and disciplined us, shaped us, Buckner said. “He taught us about respect, that it’s earned and you have to treat everyone around you like you want to be treated."
• In July of 2017, Buckner returned to his hometown of Waianae, HI, to host a free non-contact youth football clinic at Waianae High School. “Having my first camp back in my hometown means a lot to me because this is where it all started,” said Buckner. "Where I grew up shaped a big part of my life and having the opportunity to give back to my community means the world to me. I just want the youth in our community to see that dreams do come true."
• During his time at Oregon, Buckner used art as an outlet for his emotions outside of football, even earning the nickname "Dr. DeFo" from his art professor for his passion, focus and patience with his pieces. Buckner enrolled in a class called “Art of the Athlete,” which provides engagement for student-athletes through the visual arts and has the student-athletes help in the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art workshops for children with disabilities. During the open exhibition at the end of the class, Buckner was awarded with the highest honor, the breakout artist award for his piece titled "King of Pop" showing himself in a Michael Jackson type pose that was spray painted on vinyl."

Click Here to See DeForest Buckner’s Full Bio