09-02-2025
Tradition is born; Paper Super Bowl kicks off weekend celebrations
PLEASANT HILL, Iowa — A tradition was born Saturday with families coming out to participate in the first Paper Super Bowl during weekend festivities.
This was the first year of the event and tournament founder, Roger Rench, says it brings back good memories and brings people together.
'When my boys were in middle school back in Florida years ago, we used to have a paper football tournament,' said Rench. 'Every Super Bowl Sunday before the game during all the pre-game stuff. And I always wanted to do it as a community event.
The Paper Football Tournament was set up like the NFL, with players competing in five regular season games, working their way to the playoffs, and eventually the Super Bowl.
During the 'half-time show', Grandview University Football Chaplain, Chris Barr, gave a motivational speech to pump up players.
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Rench said Grandview University Football has been supportive of the event, even providing a special grand prize and getting members of the team involved.
'Each winner of the division gets a trophy, and then we have a grand prize, which is a football signed by all the players of this year's Grandview University National Championship team,' said Rench.
Rench says after the success of the Saturday's event he absolutely plans to bring it back again, for both kids and adults to enjoy.
'It's a lot of work to set it up and everything, but just to see the joy in the kids' players, some of these guys have never played before,' said Rench. 'So, they're having fun just learning how to play in the competition or mixing it up and just the camaraderie.'
The festivities are set to continue Sunday when Ryan Saddler, center for the Grandview Vikings, will sit down for an interview sharing his experiences.
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