SANTA CLARA – Kaye Jernigan grew up a Steelers fan, her dad a Cowboys fan.
But the Murfreesboro native always hoped one day the NFL would come to Tennessee, and when it did, she jumped on the Titans bandwagon and never looked back.
Jernigan and her father, Joe Frank Jernigan, joined a group of friends that became PSL holders, and dedicated fans.
"We drove to Memphis, went to games at Vanderbilt and then when the stadium was built, we went to all the games," Jernigan said. "Great memories."
Kaye Jernigan added another memory to her football fandom on Sunday – she was at Super Bowl LX as the "Titans Fan of the Year."
Joe Frank Jernigan passed away a few years ago, but Kaye said the memories with her father at Titans games will last a lifetime
Jernigan attended Super Bowl LX with her nephew, Garrick Hutchinson. The two have lived it up this week in the Bay area, attending NFL Honors, going to the NFL Experience, and seeing the city of San Francisco.
The two were seated in Section 404, Row 24, Seats 23 and 24 on Sunday.
"It's been great," Jernigan said. "Unbelievable, really."
A dedicated public servant, Jernigan served as Assistant Fire Chief with Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue before taking a job at her alma mater, MTSU, as the emergency operations manager. She's also a board member of the Human Rights Committee for a local nursing home.
Jernigan's support of the team, and her work in the community, earned her recognition to be one of 32 fans from across the country to win "Fan of the Year," and earn a trip to the Super Bowl.
"I was shocked when they told me I'd been named," Jernigan said. "It was a total surprise to me."
Jernigan was wearing a No.25 light blue Titans jersey on Sunday at Levi's Stadium as the team's Fan of the Year.
"To be here at the Super Bowl, it's been incredible," Jernigan said. "And I'm proud to wear this jersey. I am proud to be a Tennessean, and a Tennessee Titans fan. Even if we've had some rough years, I am still here, loyal as ever."
A Super Year
It's been a good year of football for Page football coach Charles Rathbone.
Back in December, Rathbone led Page High School to an undefeated season in 2025 and the Class 5A Tennessee State Championship, the first state football title in the school's history.
On Sunday, he was at Super Bowl LX.
Rathbone was named the 2025 Tennessee Titans High School Coach of the Year, and he was one of the 10 finalists for league-wide coach of the year.
As a reward, the Titans sent him to the Super Bowl. Rathbone and his wife, Regina, were at the game.
"It's something we've never done before," Rathbone said. "It's a little over overwhelming to be honest.
"It's been a special year. These guys that we won the state championship with, I've been coaching them since they were in third grade with flag football. Just to finish it up with this group of seniors was pretty remarkable, and now I (got) to go to the Super Bowl.
"The seniors really have really done a lot for me, and put me in a position to really have something that only most dream about."
Tyjae and His Dad
Tyjae Spears was back at the Super Bowl, with his dad.
Spears and his father went to Super Bowl LVIII a few years ago in Las Vegas. A year ago, the two were together during the week in their hometown of New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX, although only Margene went to the game. On Sunday, Tyjae and his dad were in the stands together again for Super Bowl LX to watch the Patriots face the Seahawks.
NFL players get access to Super Bowl tickets, with all players allowed to purchase at least two tickets to the game, according to the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Spears takes his dad. The two were seated in Section 127, Row 24, Seats 13 and 14 on Sunday.
"That man gave me life, he gave me everything," Spears said of his father, Margene. "He is the reason I am standing in front of you. If it wasn't for his discipline, his structure, I probably wouldn't be standing in front of you. So, hat's off to him. This is the least I can do."
Simmons at Super Bowl for Third Straight Year
Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons was recognized on the field in pregame at Levi's Stadium as part of the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year program.
Simmons was Tennessee's nominee for the third straight year.
Simmons is proud of why he earned a trip to the game, but he wants to be in the game.
"I'm not going to lie to you, I really don't like going to the Super Bowl," Simmons said. "I know I have to do it because of the award, but I always told myself I'd never attend a Super Bowl on my own unless I was playing in it."
