Super Alumni Bowl

Look out below, I'm about to name-drop. While he's a few years younger than me, Seattle Seahawk WR, Joe Jurevicius is the reason I watched the Super Bowl tonight. Not only is it a thrill to watch him play pro-football after knowing him for years and watching his career blossom since high school - it's an honor to call him a friend.

You want to know about the man behind the face mask? Well, he's a caring, family man who is a devout Catholic. He'd stop and help any stranded motorist, no matter if it made him late to the Super Bowl. He has traveled the United States during his career, but his heart remains here where he spent his formative years. He's still as active as he can be in our high school alumni association while permanently residing in Tampa. He's a bit shy and reserved - he speaks few words, but they're chosen well. He spends his Thanksgiving each year at one of Cleveland's soup kitchens. Let me share with you two stories which depict the "goodness" of Joe.

"The Islands" is what we in Cleveland call our weekend get-a-way spot. You arrive via ferry to Put-In-Bay, Little Bass, or Middle Bass Islands. Quaint communities, where you travel by rented golf carts or foot. There aren't many motor vehicles on the islands, which is a good thing considering the bars and wineries are abundant. Back in 2000, there was a tragedy in the area. Lonz Winery, established in the 1920's, had a terrace collapse during the holiday weekend. Joe happened to be attending a function there and put his own safety aside to climb down into the pit of collapsed concrete to dig out the injured. While he pulled out his fair share, there was one 23-year-old woman who had no pulse - Joe performed CPR until help arrived. She survived solely due to Joe's efforts. Just over a year later, Joe spent continuous hours at Ground Zero, NYC, repeating his effort to find survivors after 9/11.

In 2003, Joe and his wife, Meagan, welcomed their first-born son just weeks before the 37th Super Bowl when Joe played for the Bucs. Tampa Bay allowed Joe a leave of absence as Michael was born prematurely with sialidosis. Yet, Joe felt a commitment to his team and returned to play in the Super Bowl that year. Michael died just weeks later. Joe and Meagan are avid supporters of The March of Dimes in Michael's memory.

Oh, and while all the other starters during tonight's Super Bowl mentioned their colleges during their introduction segments - Joe chose to say he was from Lake Catholic High School, rather than Penn State. You'd probably not remember his first catch in tonight's game, but it brought tears to my eyes. After the catch, he jumped to his feet and cheered like it was a touchdown - pointing to heaven, his tradition as a memorial to Michael. Win or lose, I'm glad Joe and Meagan were able to share this new Super Bowl experience together.