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Writing a story about our recent Super Bowl experience is both a delight and a challenge.
The delight is in the fact that our team, the Seattle Seahawks, won a decisive victory over the New England Patriots.
First, a plea for some local mercy.
Our loyalty as die-hard Pats fans changed two years ago when our nephew, Mike Macdonald, was named head coach of the Seahawks. What a joy for us and our family to celebrate with this fine young man and his talented team as world champions!
Remembering Mike back in his boyhood days and watching his mom, my sister Susan, and his dad, Hugh, love and guide him and his two wonderful sisters, Kate and Maggie, is still a live movie playing in my head. Unknowingly, that was seed time for what was harvested this Super Bowl Sunday.
The challenge is putting into words what shined most brightly as the takeaway from our weekend.
Any fair-minded sports fan would have to agree that beating a great Patriots team, with a promising future, was a job well done. It’s easy to predict more great things are ahead for both teams.
Beyond all the pre-game hype, technology, special performances, $10 hotdogs, crazy ticket prices, and natural electricity generated, what impressed us most deeply wasn’t as obvious. It’s the family dynamic that creates and maintains the reason for such a successful extravaganza.
We met a number of player parents who were just regular folks who were blessed with a child who became an extraordinary football player, complete with resilience to temptations, and the tenaciousness to carry on in the face of challenges. We met the dad of Kenneth Walker, this year’s Super Bowl MVP, and the mom of Cooper Kupp, the 2022 MVP as a player for the Rams.
This basic parental connection and their solid attributes served as the vital foundation for this Super Bowl. Built on this foundation were the families, friends, and fans that came to Levi’s Stadium with passionate support for their heroes. Count us in the mix.
So, what was our greatest takeaway this weekend?
True champions are rare. Any parent reading this, however, could become a Macdonald, Walker, or a Kupp. Over many years, they never abandoned their dream for their child, and what we witnessed this Super Bowl Sunday was a real dream come true.
Steven J. Bouley is a resident of Fairhaven and a former New Bedford High School teacher.
A delightful story from a terrific guy and a wonderful dad himself. Way to go, Steve! We Pats fans have had many days and will have many more to come in the limelight, it is no shame to share the limelight.
Well, he’s a local boy so good on him for winning. I’m sure you are very proud of him and what an experience you must have had.