The 5th Quarter

In February 2006, Luke Abbate accepts a ride home from a fellow student after high school team practice. Despite objections, the driver recklessly loses control of the car while driving nearly 90 miles per hour, causing the car to spin off a narrow road and tumble into an embankment 70 feet below.

Luke suffers severe, irreparable brain damage from the crash and is rushed to the hospital. Despite medical efforts, he passes away two days later, just four days prior to his sixteenth birthday, marking a tragic end to his young life.

While in the hospital, Luke's family consents to organ donation, allowing his organs to be used in a nationwide transplant program. His heart is specifically allocated to a young mother suffering from serious heart disease, leading to a successful heart transplant that saves her life.

Following Luke's death, Jon considers quitting football to honor his brother, but decides to continue playing, feeling that it is the best way to remember Luke and keep his brother's spirit alive. He re-joins Wake Forest football, motivated by his brother's memory.

Jon receives approval from coach Jim Grobe to switch his jersey number from 40 to Luke's number, 5, dedicating the upcoming football season to his brother. This act becomes a meaningful symbol of remembrance and tribute.

The Abbate family establishes The Luke Abbate 5th Quarter Foundation to educate young people nationwide about the dangers and consequences of irresponsible driving, aiming to prevent similar tragedies.

A tradition starts during Wake Forest football games, where Jon raises his hand with five fingers extended after the third quarter to honor Luke. Gradually, teammates, fans, and broadcasters adopt the gesture to collectively remember Luke, making it a symbol of the game and the loss.

The final quarter of each game becomes known as Lukes Quarter, or the 5th Quarter, where everyone collectively raises five fingers in remembrance. The gesture unites the team and fans in honoring Luke's memory throughout the season.

Despite losing their starting quarterback, running back, and defensive end to injuries at the season's start, Wake Forest maintains strong performance, completing their most successful season with 11 wins and only 2 losses, demonstrating resilience and determination.

Head coach Jim Grobe receives the ACC Coach of the Year award, recognizing his leadership in guiding the team through adversity to a record-breaking season and a standout performance in the ACC Championship Game.

Jon Abbate shines in the ACC Championship Game with an impressive fifteen solo tackles, demonstrating his dedication and the emotional drive behind his performance during a key game against Georgia Tech.