PHOENIX – Super Bowl LVII Opening Night lived up to the hype for Brett Kern.
"Everybody talks about it, how crazy it is," Kern said in the middle of all the hustle and bustle on the floor of Footprint Center on Monday night in downtown Phoenix. "To get here and experience it all, it's a whirlwind. It really has been crazy."
Yes, the former Titans punter is here at the Super Bowl.
Surrounded by thousands, along with his Eagles teammates and coaches, Kern was soaking it all in.
Kern joined the Eagles late in the season, after being released by the Titans after 13 seasons back in August.
Kern switched from No.6 to No.13, moved to Philadelphia for the short-term, and he now finds himself one win away from winning a Super Bowl ring.
"Obviously you know how long it has taken me to get here," said Kern, who played 197 career games with the Titans, which ranks him fourth in franchise history behind Bruce Matthews (296), Elvin Bethea (210) and Brad Hopkins (194). "So, I am really just taking it all in, enjoying the moment, and getting ready for a game on Sunday.
"The support from back in Nashville, it's meant a lot. I've gotten a lot of texts from friends back in Nashville, in Tennessee, who are rooting for me. I've felt the love and support, and it's been nice. I'm very appreciative."
A three-time Pro Bowler, Kern became one of Tennessee's popular players after joining the organization back in 2009, when he began putting his name atop the franchise's leaderboards at his position. Kern is the organization's all-time leading punter, with 923 career punts.
The Eagles signed Kern to fill in for Arryn Siposs as both a punter and a holder. Kern has averaged 44.1 gross yards per punt and 39.3 net in the playoffs.
Kern's wife, Tiffany, and all three children were in attendance at the NFC Championship Game.
Now they're set to join him here on Sunday for Super Bowl LVII vs the Chiefs.
"They were able to come on the field, and all the kids were able to play with the confetti and all that stuff," Kern said of the win that clinched the Super Bowl trip. "It's been a really cool experience, and now we have one more (win) to go. The opportunity to get a ring, it's special."
