By Kevin Askeland
MaxPreps.com
While the Super Bowl is generally considered the top sporting contest of the year and gains media attention around the world, the event also allows media organizations to laud the hometown hero. Here’s a look at how newspapers across the country, and around the world, are giving tribute to their favorite son.
* The Oregonian features the defensive exploits of Winston native Troy Polamalu, describing the passion the Steeler safety displays each game.
* The Charlotte Observer tracks the long, hard road to success that Steeler running back Willie Parker has traveled since his days growing up in Clinton, N.C. and at the University of North Carolina.
* Whether or not former Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward will be able to play in Super Bowl XLIII has been one of the big topics of discussion this week. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution takes a look at injury to the former Forest Park star.
* Former Kahuku teammates Aaron Francisco of the Cardinals and Chris Kemoeatu of the Steelers meet in this year’s Super Bowl. The Honolulu Advertister showcases their reunion.
* A pair of stories document the pride and loyalty for a pair of Palm County natives. Arizona’s Anquan Boldin of Pahokee and Pittsburgh’s Santonio Holmes of Glades Central are revered as hometown heroes in this story by the Palm Beach Post. Meanwhile CBS Sports examines the plight of Boldin’s and Holmes’ home towns.
* A number of Super Bowl players call Southern California home. The Orange County Register examines the career of former Esperanza and UCLA great Travis Kirschke, who is hoping to earn his second Super Bowl ring with the Steelers.
* While the Super Bowl is the main attraction in Tampa this week, a number of other activities are also scheduled that involve NFL players. Saginaw native LaMarr Woodley will participate in the “Snoop Bowl” as documented by the Saginaw News.
* Not every player in the Super Bowl is from the United States. Oddly enough, both punters in the game hail from different countries. The Australian tells what inspires Arizona punter Ben Graham while the Vancouver Sun in Canada describes the latest fast food craze in the Great Northwest – The Super Mitch Berger.
* Former San Leandro standout Dennis Dixon saw a chance at a possible Pac-10 championship end with a knee injury his senior year at Oregon. Now he has a chance to win a bigger prize – a Super Bowl ring. The Contra Costa Times tells his story.
* Finally, the Cedar Rapids Gazette takes hometown hero status to a different level in its coverage of Arizona Cardinal quarterback and Iowa native Kurt Warner, who has his own page on the Gazette website.