On Super Bowl Sunday , many families found themselves watching the big game as the Kansas City Chiefs battled the Philadelphia Eagles . Doug and Terri Watson were no different — except that they were watching their son in the Super Bowl from preferred seating in the State Farm Stadium in Phoenix !
Justin Watson , wide receiver for the Chiefs , was born in Bridgeville and his father works locally in Bridgeville . Justin saw significant time on the field and contributed to the win with a couple of receptions .
Incredibly , it was Doug and Terri ’ s second trip to the Super Bowl in three years ! Justin previously played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who won Super Bowl LV . But this time was even more special .
Terri contrasts the experiences : “ When we went to Tampa in 2021 , it was at the height of COVID-19 , and there weren ’ t nearly as many activities and events . We stayed in Justin ’ s townhouse in Tampa . We only went out to walk a little bit .” But this time , with COVID-19 restrictions eased , everyone was able to really celebrate .
Terri hi adds , “ The whole week was done so well ! When we first arrived , they had a lady sitting at a table with envelopes . And everything you needed for the entire week was in those envelopes . We had to have tags and security was so tight . There were police and ex-Navy seals , and there was no way anyone was getting in who wasn ’ t supposed to be there .”
There was a welcome party on Friday night , and transportation was provided for those who wanted to explore attractions in the local area . There were also chartered buses that transported them to the game and a big tailgate party prior to game time .
As a very young player , Justin wasn ’ t able to see time on the field in his first Super Bowl . But this time , he was there for more than 60 percent of the offensive plays . The game turned out to be a real nail-biter , with one of the most exciting games in Super Bowl history . A dramatic field goal in the final seconds gave the Chiefs the edge with a final score of 38-35 .
After the team won , only three family members were allowed onto the field . Doug , Terri and Justin ’ s wife , Erica , went down for the celebratory moment . There was so much confetti that Justin and his mom laid on the field making “ snow ” angels in it .
Doug notes that there were other family members present in the stands , since the team allowed up to six special tickets . “ I felt kind of bad for the rest of our group , since they only allowed three people on the field ,” he says , “ but Justin was able to get them into all the other events .”
All the other events included a fabulous after-party held outdoors , which according to Doug , “ had as much food as you could possibly imagine .” There was a spectacular light show , The Chainsmokers played live , followed by a DJ , then Jason Derulo performed as the main event . The Eagles had a separate event , although it was decidedly low-key . Meanwhile , the K . C . Chiefs partied until around 4 a . m .
This amazing journey for Justin began with playing football in the youth leagues and later becoming a quarterback in middle school . In high school , he was switched to a receiver position and really began to shine .
As Justin approached high school graduation , he received several scholarship offers and one full scholarship . Terri says , “ I thought that would be it . I was thrilled . College paid for — great !” But she never expected that football might become a career . When Justin was in his junior year at Penn in Philadelphia , agents came calling . In 2018 , he was drafted in the 5th round , and his pro career in football had begun .
Last year he had to have knee surgery . He was given a one-year contract with the Chiefs and proved his worth throughout the season . Doug says that he will find out soon if he will be returning next year .
Whatever happens , Justin will be prepared to face the future head-on with faith and perseverance . Doug adds , “ He ’ s really a good kid . He helps his community in K . C . He supports the football team at South Fayette . He has strong faith . He ’ s spoken to a lot of men ’ s groups about his faith . He was not the most outgoing kid , but he ’ s become a very good speaker . He ’ s just a good guy .”
Erica , a barber , started cutting hair at the local school for free , for kids who are unable to afford it . This has really been a blessing for the kids , and they now have a more permanent location . Justin and Erica have been able to do this for the kids together .
And Justin Watson will always have the special support of his family . Terri worries as any mother would about the dangers of being hurt , especially at the NFL level . She says , “ It ’ s scary — win , lose — it ’ s still scary . I always ask God to keep Justin safe before every game . Anything else is just icing on the cake .” n
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