In Kennebunk, Maine, three lifelong friends face a poignant moment as they prepare to attend what may be their final Super Bowl. The trio, octogenarians Don Crisman, Gregory Eaton, and Tom Henschel, are the last remaining members of an exclusive group known as the "never missed a Super Bowl" club. These dedicated fans have not missed a single game since the first Super Bowl in 1967, and their meeting this year carries emotional weight.
As they gather for this year's game, which features the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, Crisman expresses his excitement to see his team play for a record-setting 12th time. At 90 years old, Crisman, a Patriots fan since the franchise's inception, acknowledges the likelihood that this will be their last Super Bowl together.
Crisman, who first met Henschel at the 1983 Super Bowl, reflects on how time has changed their experiences. Henschel, now 84 and dealing with the aftermath of a stroke, confirms it's the most challenging Super Bowl he has faced physically, yet he is grateful for the opportunity to reunite with his friends. Eaton, 86, who still works in a transportation business in Detroit and is hoping to see his beloved Detroit Lions' Super Bowl debut, intends to continue attending as long as he is physically capable.
Over the years, the trio has scaled back their Super Bowl experience; Crisman recalls when they would spend a full week soaking in the festivities of the host city. Now, they opt for a shorter stay, reflecting a shift in priorities towards simply enjoying the game itself. Crisman notes, "We don’t go for a week anymore; we go for three or four days." Eaton admits the Super Bowl's increasing commercialization and expense, stating, “It’s just gotten so commercial. It’s a $10,000 trip now.”
Their friendship has been enriched through friendly rivalries, particularly between Henschel, a Pittsburgh Steelers fan, and Crisman. They reminisce about how logistics sometimes kept them apart during past games, despite their enduring connection. This year's encounter is focused more on camaraderie than competition, as Henschel says, “It was just about being able to go to the game at all.”
Throughout the years, the group that once included fans, executives, and media has dwindled as time has taken its toll, with Crisman, Eaton, and Henschel now representing the dwindling spirit of a unique tradition. They fondly recall past Super Bowls, like Henschel's $12 ticket to the 1969 game and Crisman’s arduous 24-hour train ride to Miami for the 1968 event, marking a stark contrast to today’s extravagant festivities.
Don Crisman’s daughter, Susan Metevier, reflects on the bittersweet nature of this experience, concluding that it’s not just about the football but the memories they’ve created together over the decades. She grew up with her father’s streak ingrained in her life and looks forward to making one last trip with him. Crisman’s son, Don Jr., fully supports his father's decision to continue attending as long as he is able, articulating a heartfelt sentiment about the significance of these outings.
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