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BOTHELL, Wash. — When folks in Bothell tune into Super Bowl LIII on KIRO 7 Sunday, Feb. 3, plenty of people in this community will have a reason to cheer on the Los Angeles Rams.
"Oh, I think it's great. It's nice to have a local kid in the Super Bowl and someone that you know of,” said Jack Thomas, who lives in Kenmore.
Rams punter Johnny Hekker grew up in the community and graduated from Bothell High School.
His varsity football coach Tom Bainter couldn't be more proud.
"I'm so happy for him,” said Bainter. “It's so fun to know somebody, who does everything right in life and then gets to the pinnacle of their sport."
When Hekker wasn't playing on the Bothell Cougars football team, he was busy with basketball and the coach said he was quite the track and field athlete, too.
"He was always our quarterback and he punted and kicked (for our team) as well,” said Bainter. "But there was a guy from Oregon State, who really saw the potential in him as a punter and because of his length and athleticism, they thought he could be really good."
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Hekker was good enough to walk on and make the football team at Oregon State University in Corvallis. His grades at Bothell High School also helped him get into college.
"He did well (academically),” said Mary Simmons, who taught Hekker’s English class at Bothell. “It was wonderful to have him in class. He was a class leader (and) was always super positive in his attitude."
Now everybody at Bothell High School is gearing up for Johnny Hekker day on Friday.
"We're all gonna wear our gold and blue,” said Bainter with a smile. “I know the Seahawk fans are having a little bit of difficulty with that. We're just real happy and proud of him and just want to show him support."
Another member of the Rams, wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who was injured this season against the Seahawks, grew up in Yakima and went to Davis High School.
Cox Media Group
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