By Steven J. Bouley, Special to the Neighb News
Writing a story about our recent Superbowl experience is both a delight and a challenge.
The delight is in the fact 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!
-
- L-R: Seahawks head coach, Mike Macdonald, poses with the Lombardi trophy and his uncle, Fairhaven resident, Steve Bouley, after Super Bowl LX on 2/8/26. Submitted photo.
Remembering Mike back in his boyhood days and watching his mom and 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 harvested this past Superbowl Sunday.
Here’s another tid bit — My wife, Cynthia (my best buddy), and I qualify as “seniors” and we’ve done our share of traveling and experiencing interesting things together over our lifetime. Visiting 52 of the 63 National Parks provides a little evidence of what kind of action I’m talking about. So, if you don’t mind a snapshot of the two of us at the Superbowl: Two kids in a candy store!!
The challenge is putting into words what shined most brightly as the takeaway from our Superbowl weekend.
Any fair-minded sports fan would have to agree — 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, $10.00 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 several 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 tenaciousness to carry on in the face of challenges. See the photo of us with the dad of Kenneth Walker, this year’s Superbowl MVP, and the mom of Cooper Kupp, the 2022 MVP as a player for the Rams.
-
- Fairhaven residents, Steve (LEFT) and Cynthia (RIGHT) Bouley, meet up with Karin Cupp, the mother of Seattle Seahawk Cooper Kupp; and Kenneth Walker II, the father of Seattle Seahawk Kenneth Walker III on 2/6/26 just a couple of days before Super Bowl LX. Submitted photo.
This basic parental connection and their solid attributes served as the vital foundation for this Superbowl. Built on this foundation were the families, friends, and fans that came to Levi Stadium with passionate support for their heroes. Count us in the mix!
So, what was our greatest takeaway this past 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 past Superbowl Sunday was a real dream come true!
•••
Click here to download the 2/19/26 issue: 02-19-26 KoolKids
Click here to download the Atlas Tack presentation: ATWG_2-2-26
Support local journalism, donate to the Neighb News with PayPal
