The New England Patriots have been practicing at Stanford Stadium and training in campus athletic facilities since Monday to prepare for the Super Bowl at Levi Stadium this Sunday.
Students, professors and community members alike are excited to be a part of the lead up to the game this year.
“I keep telling my family and friends that I’ll let them know if I spot any players around campus, and that I’ll be paying close attention this week to my surroundings,” wrote Adam Tarr ’28, a self-proclaimed lifelong Patriots fan, in a message to The Daily.
Stanford Stadium is no stranger to Super Bowl participants, having hosted the Denver Broncos’ pre-game practices in 2016 and even Super Bowl XX in 1985, which pitted the San Francisco 49ers against the Miami Dolphins. The Broncos went on to win the Super Bowl the year they were hosted by Stanford.
“I’m conflicted on [who to root for] because normally, I would be a Seahawks fan. But because they’ve been practicing on campus, I’m torn — I kind of want to root for the Patriots, I’m not gonna lie,” Aydin Rosas ’29 said.
Rosas noted his potential allegiance to the Seahawks would stem from their underdog status going into this Super Bowl.
The Super Bowl will begin at 3:30 p.m. this Sunday, featuring a half-time show from musical artist Bad Bunny.
History professor and Patriots fan Jonathan Gienapp said that for him, hosting the team at Stanford is “kind of surreal, kind of cool [to see] worlds combining. I got maybe 30 text messages from people when the information [about practice locations] was released.”
The Stanford Athletics department did not respond to a request for comment on the arrangement between Stanford and the NFL.
Tarr wrote to The Daily that as a lifelong fan, the presence of the team — both on Stanford’s campus and in the Bay as a whole — is emotional.
“I used to watch the games with my Dad and Mom and play football in the snow with my friends, wearing a Patriots beanie. Them being back in the Super Bowl reminds me of those magical childhood memories,” Tarr wrote.
He added that he’s been excited to see San Francisco get ready for the game with decorations at the San Francisco Ferry Building and Union Square.
Patriots players and UC Berkeley alumni Jaylinn Hawkins and Craig Woodson told SFGate that despite practicing at Stanford, they still participate in the two schools’ historic rivalry.
“Today at practice, I wore a Cal shirt, and I’m going to do that every day,” Woodson said in an interview with SFGate.
Students and professors’ Super Bowl plans range from watching in dorm lounges to traveling to Levi Stadium to see the live spectacle.
“When else are you going to have a chance to attend the Super Bowl?” said Gienapp, who said he hopes to see the game in person.
“I’m just excited for the show, honestly, just excited to see what happens,” Rosas said.