Football fans in Cochrane and around the world will tune in this Sunday to see the New England Patriots go to war against the Atlanta Falcons for Super Bowl LI.
But for one former Cochrane Cobra, watching the Big Show is a totally different game.
“For the last five Super Bowls in a row, I’ve known someone who played in it,” said John Bender, who played with the high school football squad in 2003 and 2004. “It’s really become a big thing … how many of my former teammates are playing.”
Bender first picked up the pigskin in Grade 11 and quickly became a force on the field. At 6-foot-8 and 325 pounds, the offensive lineman garnered attention for both his skills and his stature – and it wasn’t long before scouts started taking note.
The Cobras earned the provincial banner during both Bender’s years on the team, and coaches Rob McNab and Bruce O’Neil helped the prospect shape his pro goals past graduation. Bender first played junior ball in Victoria with future Stampeders Rob Cote and Blaine Kruger, then accepted a full ride scholarship to University of Nevada – one of the most prestigious football programs in the United States.
There, he was a four-year starter on the Wolf Pack and ran the field alongside now-NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick of the San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos’ tight end Virgil Green, former Seattle Seahawks running back Vailala Lima Taua – and New England Patriots offensive guard Christian Barker, who signed with the current Super Bowl contender’s practice roster in 2015.
“I think you make a lot of your best friends in university,” Bender said. “In five years … we had all the same classes, went to all the same parties – we pretty much did everything together for five years. Those are bonds.”
Bender took a detour away from the NFL after being drafted 17th overall in the third round of the 2010 CFL draft by the Calgary Stampeders. He played two seasons with the club before injuries forced him from the game.
The Alberta Schools Athletic Association Hall of Famer now puts his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (with a dual major of marketing and management) degree from U of N to good use as a certified financial planner at Investors’ Group in Calgary. He also is a guest football analyst on FAN960 sports radio and is active with the Stamps’ alumni group.
As for this weekend’s Super Bowl, Bender hosted a big party last year for 50 friends – this year, he said the group has reserved space at a Calgary bar so he and a few dozen friends can catch the championship.
With the Patriots making their ninth Super Bowl appearance and being favoured to win, Bender believes it will be a tight and exciting matchup.
“Most people that watch the casual football game, they watch the football. If you watch the line of scrimmage, you can see the battles … you can see who can win the game. I watch the line of scrimmage battle,” he said. “I definitely like the Falcons. I like the Falcons’ chances; I also like the Patriots’ chances. It’s tough to bet against Tom Brady.
“I’m just a football fan. Its doesn’t matter if its CFL, NFL, NCAA … I just love the intricacies of the game.”
