Harrisburg teen killed in car crash 'put on this planet to be an inspiration'

One of the first things that people mention about Mason Jacobson is his smile.

There’s been a photo of Jacobson, who died in a automobile accident Aug. 1, circling the internet in recent days. It was taken by Harrisburg photographer Jon Klemme. In the photo Jacobson's arms are stretched up high overhead, his helmet is clasped in his right hand framing perfectly the Tigers logo on the side of it and, at the center, is a big, open-mouthed smile.

It’s the moment a kid who “absolutely adored being a Tiger through and through” became a champion.

“What that picture shows is all the hard work and determination he had to put in to put our team in that spot and play a crucial role, and then to see him let out that emotion…” Harrisburg head coach Brandon White said. “Leaving this earth as a champion and playing a huge factor in that was a dream of his. It absolutely was.”

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Mason Jacobson's impact on coaches, family and friends

The news of the Jacobson’s death brought shock to those who knew the powerful and jubilant offensive lineman in the photo following Harrisburg’s win over Brandon Valley in the 2021 11AAA championship game, but as the days went on, the moments that made Jacobson’s impact in his short life became more clear.

White said he doesn’t remember ever having a bad moment with Jacobson. Teammates and coaches remember him as someone who made you want to smile and work harder, how he brought the best out of people around him. Friend and teammate Andrew Walter will treasure the memories made playing Chief Keef in the locker room before games with the “kindest person I’ve ever met.”

White had Jacobson in his math class the first semester of his senior year. White had followed him through youth sports in the area, into the middle school programs and then meeting for the first time face-to-face when Jacobson joined the varsity football team — which has been “a true joy” ever since — but White was grateful to see him as a student and all other times off the football field, too.

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Jacobson was never shy in public. If he saw White shopping in Scheels with his kids, Jacobson would be sure to come up and say hi. He did that with the Harrisburg strength staff, his teachers or his friends, too. White said people would congregate around him, because “they knew he was going to have a smile and he would bring them a smile.”

Though serious when it mattered, Jacobson was fun-loving always. White remembered a time when the big offensive lineman ran routes in practice as a wide receiver. There were times when White saw Jacobson get frustrated or make mistakes. But Jacobson didn’t carry frustration like most. The most notable thing about Jacobson’s smile was that it was so consistent.

“For a time period, where you think someone could be down in the dumps, I don't remember ever recalling that situation with Mason,” White said. “Always happy go lucky.”

Jacobson, who to his friends and teammates was known as “Moose,” eventually earned a scholarship to play football at Minnesota State University, but his obituary painted the picture of more than a football player and rather a boy with “a larger-than-life personality"  He was a “party starter.”

“Mason would belt out a karaoke tune for all to hear, or bust out in a dance move just to embarrass his sister, or get Mom to style his hair to impress all the ladies,” Jacobson’s obituary reads. “Above all else, Mason was the definition of a family man. There was nothing in the world he loved more than spending time with his parents, siblings, cousins or grandparents. Always in the stands cheering his brother and sister to victory. Always there to give a helping hand to family no matter what. Always the brother so many cousins never knew they needed. Always ready to take on any challenge his uncles could throw his way. And always ready to spend time with the ones he loved.”

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Jacobson is survived by his parents Brian and Joy (Bartlett) Jacobson; his sister Amira and his brother Cole. He also leaves his grandparents, Mike and Gail Bartlett; his aunts and uncles: Kim (Jacobson) and Bill Hein, Todd and Barb Jacobson, Scott and Heather Jacobson, Heather (Jacobson) and Stephen Rost, Jennifer (Bartlett) and Jay Larson, Jarod and Brooke Bartlett; his “little cuz” as he lovingly called them: Alex, Ashley, Bergen, Olivia, Anaka, Ainsley, McKinley, Sophie, Elizabeth, Howard, Jacobson, Sladen, Summit, Adalynn, and Kyra; and his dog Zara.

What remains of Jacobson in that photo, smile and all, is “Moose,” “the greatest Tiger” “to a T.”

“Obviously, he was put on this planet to be an inspiration for a lot of people,” White said. “And that's definitely how his legacy will live on.”

Follow Sioux Falls Argus Leader reporter Michael McCleary on Twitter @mikejmccleary.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Harrisburg football's Mason Jacobson left earth 'as a champion'