Imagine a group of friends who have shared an incredible journey together, witnessing every single Super Bowl since its inception. But this year, they face a difficult decision - is this their final hurrah?
KENNEBUNK, Maine, is where we find ourselves, with a story that tugs at the heartstrings. Three octogenarian friends, Don Crisman, Gregory Eaton, and Tom Henschel, are the last remaining members of an exclusive club - the 'never missed a Super Bowl' gang.
A Tradition Coming to an End?
This year's Super Bowl, pitting the Seattle Seahawks against the New England Patriots, could be their last. Crisman, an avid Patriots fan, has been to every game since the franchise began, and this year marks his 60th consecutive appearance.
"This is definitely the final one," Crisman said, accompanied by his daughter, Susan Metevier. "We've made it to 60, and that's a milestone."
The passage of time and the challenges of aging have caught up with them. Crisman, turning 90 this year, and Henschel, 84, are facing the reality that their mobility is decreasing, and the expense of attending these events is becoming more burdensome.
"It's getting harder, and the costs are rising," Crisman admitted. "I used to spend a week in the host city, but now it's just about the game itself."
A Brotherly Bond
Eaton, 86, who runs a ground transportation company in Detroit, is determined to keep going as long as he can. He still dreams of seeing his beloved Detroit Lions make it to the Super Bowl one day.
"They're my brothers," Eaton said of his friends. "We've been through so much together, and we check on each other."
The trio has attended every Super Bowl since the very first AFL-NFL World Championship Game in 1967. They've shared friendly rivalries, with Henschel and Crisman's favorite teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots, often facing off.
A World of Memories
Their stories are a window into a different era. Henschel recalls scoring a $12 ticket on the day of the 1969 Super Bowl, while Crisman endured a 24-hour train ride to Miami for the 1968 game. Eaton, a Black man, remembers the years before Doug Williams became the first Black quarterback to win a Super Bowl in 1988.
"It's not just about the football," Metevier, Crisman's daughter, said. "It's about the memories and the shared experiences."
As time marches on, the group has shrunk. Photographer John Biever, who has shot every Super Bowl, is also planning to end his streak at 60.
A Thought-Provoking Question
What would you do if you had the chance to attend every Super Bowl, but the physical challenges of aging made it increasingly difficult? Would you continue the tradition, or is it time to pass the torch?
Share your thoughts in the comments. Is this a story of perseverance, or a reminder that some things are best left to the younger generation?
