Over 100 million people will watch some of the best athletes in the world compete for the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday, but there will be a select group of observers who remember those athletes when they were less famous.
High school coaches or teachers of 15 players were asked to recall their most vivid memories of interacting with the future stars. The recollections included snagging a tuba player for kicking duties, convincing a linebacker not to be afraid of a hamster and sharing a poignant moment during a shiva with a tight end who would go on to be one of the greatest in NFL history.