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Few athletes get a chance to play in the pros for their hometown team.
But for five games during the 2008 NFL season, Packer Park native Kyle Eckel suited up for the Philadelphia Eagles. Last summer, he went to camp with the Birds, but didn’t make the final cut. The 28-year-old, who previously had played for the New England Patriots, suddenly found himself looking for a new home.
Things have worked out just fine for the fullback. Come Sunday, when the majority of players will be on the golf course or home with their families watching Super Bowl XLIV, Eckel will be in the national spotlight with his NFC champion New Orleans Saints.
He signed with the organization Oct. 29 and has played in seven games since, including two starts. Although it’s highly unlikely the Episcopal Academy grad’s name will appear on Sunday’s stat sheet, Eckel will be able to say he has played in two Super Bowls. His first was in ’07 when his 18-0 Patriots lost Super Bowl XLII to the New York Giants.
The Saints, who are making their Super Bowl debut, are the feel-good story of the year. Four years ago, the franchise was left homeless after Hurricane Katrina destroyed New Orleans. Sunday, the team will try and complete its greatest chapter ever by defeating league MVP Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts.
New Orleans opened ’09 with 13-straight victories, then won the NFC South title and capped things off by securing the No. 1 seed in the playoffs.
While most of the attention from the Jan. 24 NFC Championship contest was centered around Vikings quarterback Brett Favre, who once again came out of retirement for another shot at a ring, Eckel’s squad prevailed with a thrilling 31-28 overtime win.
The Colts, who were the AFC’s No. 1 seed, defeated the New York Jets, 30-17, in the other championship game.
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