ARLINGTON, Texas — North Texans will be well-represented in Sunday's Big Game.
Shane Buechele is a backup quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Linebacker Kyron Johnson is in his rookie season with the Philadelphia Eagles.
“It’s such a blessing. It's absolutely amazing for him to reach this level, the ultimate level, right?” mom Stephanie Johnson told WFAA.
Laban DeLay coached Johnson at Arlington's Lamar High School.
Johnson and Buechele are former Lamar teammates, as well.
“He was a sponge. He wanted to know why. And any time you can teach why we're doing this and why are they playing this type of coverage and why we need you here, and it made more sense to him,” DeLay said. “Because he knew the defense and knew all the schemes, I think that really helped him in college and probably helped him right now.”
He was drafted in the sixth round by the Eagles after playing college ball at Kansas.
The rookie played 16 games for Philadelphia this season.
“He did say that it's different from college because these are grown men. Up in age,” Johnson said.
“Almost my age,” dad Broderic Johnson said laughing.
The Johnsons said they attended almost every Eagles’ game in person this season. And they could tell this team had something special.
“I told [Stephanie] as long as Jalen Hurts takes the team, we going all the way,” Broderic said.
But the Eagles will have to get through Buechele’s team – the Chiefs – first.
“I'm pulling for both,” DeLay said. “I know that can’t end in a tie, but I want success for both my kids.”
Buechele, son of former Texas Rangers third baseman Steve Buechele, played college football for Texas and SMU.
“He had a demeanor that calmed everybody,” DeLay said. “Even if we're down, everybody looked at him and he was like, we're OK, we're going to do this.”
Buechele is one of the backup quarterbacks for Patrick Mahomes.
“The name, Steve Buechele: Everybody in Arlington knows because the Texas Rangers. And Shane had his mindset that he could do anything. He can play baseball. He can play basketball. He ran track, but his mind was set that he's going to go play in the NFL,” DeLay said. “He was very determined, great work ethic and look where he's at now.”
Kickoff for Super Bowl LVII is Sunday at 5:30 p.m.