Lake Washington High football coach AJ Parnell is all about legacy.

It was the first word out of his mouth during summer drills, and among the first things he mentioned during preseason practices: the value of legacy.

Parnell was speaking of year-to-year legacies at the time, as each season’s senior class leaves an imprint on the younger players, but the idea spreads further than the boundaries of the gridiron.

Before the Kangs’ game against Kelso on Friday, Sept. 16, the team stretched into a single-file line in front of the fans at Mac Field to honor the legacy of two former players: Barry Bannister and Jake Herring.

Herring was killed on April 28, 2004, when an IED struck his vehicle in Talafar, Iraq. He had joined the Army in early Sept., 2001, just days before the terrorist attacks. Lake Washington retired No. 55 in 2004, and will now pass the number on to junior linebacker Jacob Smith.

“He used to sleep in his letterman’s jacket, football meant that much to him,” said Nicholas Paine, Herring’s brother.

“It wasn’t so much getting to go out and hit somebody, it was hitting somebody with the guy that’s standing next to you,” Paine said. “I think that’s part of the reason why he was so drawn to the military.”

Paine, his wife Toni and their 19-month-old son Aaron drove from Utah to accept the honor for Herring, who was the older brother by several years. Many of Herring’s former teammates were in attendance on Sept. 16, and stood beside the Paine family as the No. 55 jersey was presented to Smith.

“When some of his teammates got hold of me to say they were putting this on with Coach Parnell, I was blown away,” Paine said. “I got on the phone to text my mom, and she was blown away. We all know these guys still remember, but for them to put life back into his jersey and his number, it means the world to us.”

Like Herring, Bannister was in love with football.

Bannister, who played for Lake Washington in the late 1970s, was injured in a car accident while on lunch break during his senior season: Oct. 22, 1979. The injuries left Bannister paralyzed from the neck down.

Bannister wore No. 86, a number offered to current senior Sean Gordon.

Gordon, who plays the same position as Bannister, had worn No. 82 since his freshmen year. After hearing Bannister’s story, Gordon didn’t hesitate to switch.

“We talked about football like he played it yesterday,” Gordon said. “Playing Tight end-Defensive end, I’d argue it’s the best position on both sides. You’re the biggest wide receiver and you’re the fastest lineman — he’s just great to talk to.”

Bannister shared his story with the team as a whole at the beginning of fall practice. He wasn’t able to attend the ceremony on Sept. 16 due to an illness, but Bannister has stopped in to attend several games this season.

“[Bannister] had his opportunities taken away from him, and I want to live his story and embody who he is,” Gordon said.