From the bleachers: Nick Calcaterra's Super Bowl Retrospective
The Portlander reflects on the moment his younger brother became a champion.
From The Bleachers is an occasional feature here on The I-5 Corridor for readers to submit stories and opinions for publication. Today, we feature UO grad Nick Calcaterra’s account of his journey from Portland to the Super Bowl to witness his younger brother become a champion.
By: Nick Calcaterra
It has been three weeks since confetti showered the Philadelphia Eagles in New Orleans, in what was one of the most dominant Super Bowl victories in the history of the National Football League. My family was in attendance to support my younger brother Grant Calcaterra, who plays Tight End for the Eagles. That unforgettable night in the Big Easy, I experienced some of the most surreal moments of my entire life: Grant cradling and kissing the Vince Lombardi Trophy, watching Grant climb into the stands to hug family and friends, and of course, celebrating with a room full of jubilant football players at the post-game party. Almost every day since the Super Bowl, I have asked myself the question, “Is this real life? Or was everything simply a dream?” The one thing I know for certain is how amazing it feels to say that my brother is a Super Bowl Champion!
Past Failures Sweeten the Victory
For my family and many Eagles fans, it is impossible to fully appreciate the 2024 Philadelphia Eagles without reflecting on the 2022 season. In Grant’s rookie year, the team exploded onto the scene, ranking third in scoring and eighth in points allowed, and ultimately, winning their Division and an NFC Conference title. My favorite highlight came in Week 3 against the Washington Commanders, when Grant reeled in a catch for 40 yards. The Eagles’ first Super Bowl matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs would be set for February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona.
Despite a stellar team performance, the Eagles lost to the Chiefs by a final score of 38 – 35, with the game ending on a controversial penalty call that is widely debated to this day. My family had all attended the game in hopes of witnessing Grant be crowned a champion, and we were devastated by the result. Growing up with Grant, I was a direct witness to his lifetime of sacrifice, hard work, and dedication to the sport of football. It was crushing to see him come so close to the pinnacle of success only to fall just short of the goal, and I was well aware how difficult it would be for Grant and his teammates to earn another opportunity to play in the Super Bowl.
The Journey to The Bayou
After a relatively forgettable 2023 season that seemed to instill doubt in the Philadelphia faithful, the Eagles had a historic run in 2024, again winning their Division and an NFC Conference title. It was also a standout year for Grant, who recorded a career-high 24 receptions for 300 yards and caught his first NFL touchdown against the Carolina Panthers in Week 14. I even experienced a small share of the success, as I was captured on video reacting to Grant’s touchdown catch. The video gathered millions of views on the internet, as it was posted by the Philadelphia Eagles official Instagram account and covered by Jason and Travis Kelce on their “New Heights” podcast. Again, I found myself asking, “Is this real life?”
The stage was set for a Super Bowl rematch between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs on February 9 in New Orleans. Once again, my family made the pilgrimage for the big game, and almost immediately I was struck by how different the atmosphere in New Orleans felt compared to Glendale in 2023. Arriving in Glendale for Super Bowl LVII felt more like attending a prestigious golf tournament than a football game. In stark contrast, New Orleans was absolutely brimming with excitement for Super Bowl LIX. Bourbon Street was an endless party, packed with thousands of fans in green and red, yelling team chants and excitedly discussing the game. There was a rowdy and positive energy reverberating throughout the city that I did not feel in 2023. During the brief interactions I had with Grant and a few of his teammates prior to Super Bowl Sunday, I got the impression that they were confident, well prepared and focused on their goal.
Lightning in a Bottle: My Super Bowl LIX Experience
Super Bowl LVII was a gut-wrenching, back-and-forth contest that came down to the final play of the game. Super Bowl LIX, on the other hand, was a competitive game for about twenty-five minutes of game clock.
The Eagles dominated the Chiefs, winning decisively with a final score of 40 – 22. My favorite memory of the game came halfway through the second quarter when Cooper DeJean intercepted a pass from Patrick Mahomes for a touchdown. As a University of Oregon graduate who experienced the Marcus Mariota years, I do not say this lightly, but that was the loudest moment that I have ever experienced at a football game. To add to the excitement, my families’ seats were directly behind the DeJean family, and it was so special watching them celebrate Cooper’s game-changing play.
Grant secured the football on the final onside kick attempt from the Chiefs, which allowed the Eagles to drain the remaining game clock. One of the best experiences of my life is running through the tunnel and onto the field after the game to celebrate with Grant as Roger Goodell presented the Vince Lombardi Trophy to the Eagles. It was moving to see players, coaches, and staff share the moment with their families, and I know it’s a memory that I will cherish with my brother for the rest of our lives. We partied through the night until the birds chirped early in the morning, a perfect way to celebrate the momentous occasion. GO BIRDS!
The Aftermath: Time for Reflection
My entire family is immensely proud of everything Grant has accomplished, with or without a Super Bowl ring. The way that he lives his life with such dedication and discipline serves as a daily inspiration for me to be intentional in all aspects of life, particularly when it comes to my diet, exercise and sleep habits. Grant was already a champion to his family and friends long before the big game—this is simply a wonderful and validating way to honor his hard work.
After the dust settled and I returned home to Portland, I told my best friend Jacob that the joy from this Super Bowl victory felt like throwing a rock into a still pond and watching the ripples spread across the surface. I was flooded with countless phone calls, text messages, and even emails congratulating Grant and my family. I heard from old classmates and coworkers, devoted fans of Grant, and even received supportive messages from as far away as Slovakia. Though it was initially overwhelming, I really valued the opportunity to embrace these moments of human connection, no matter how brief. I’m incredibly thankful for everyone who has supported my brother’s journey along the way. It has been one hell of a ride, and the amazing community around him makes celebrating his successes even more special. If this is your first time hearing about Grant Calcaterra or the Philadelphia Eagles, now’s the perfect time to hop on the bandwagon! We’re just gearing up for next season’s hunt.
— Nick Calcaterra, for The I-5 Corridor
What a great feature!