NEW ORLEANS – Twenty-five years ago, Jeremiah Washburn was in the stands for Super Bowl XXXIV.
Washburn was a senior at the University of Arkansas at the time, and he was at the Georgia Dome cheering on the Titans, and his dad, Titans defensive line coach Jim Washburn.
He remembers the heartbreak at the end, as the Titans lost 23-16 to the Rams.
Jevon Kearse was just a heartbeat away from getting to Rams quarterback Kurt Warner before his game-winning touchdown pass late. Kevin Dyson was a yard away from potentially sending the game into overtime.
Washburn, who today serves as Defensive Ends/Outside Linebackers coach for the Eagles, also remembers his father sitting in a chair in a dark hotel room in Atlanta when they all met up after the game.
"I remember how heartbroken we all were," Jeremiah Washburn said. "We all just sat there. We all just felt like the Titans were going to win that game, but they came up a yard short. We were crushed.
"Looking back, though, it was special. Just knowing how hard my dad worked, and how much he put into it all. I've always been so proud of him."
Jeremiah Washburn will be coaching here in the Super Bowl for the second time in three years.
And, once again, his father, Jim, will be in the stands watching him. Washburn also made the trip to Super Bowl LVII in Phoenix two years ago, when the Eagles lost to the Chiefs.
The young Washburn is in his sixth season with the Eagles, his third as defensive ends/outside linebackers coach.
"I'm proud of all my children — all three of them, none more than the other," Jim Washburn said at Super Bowl LVII. "But I am so proud of Jeremiah and what he's accomplished. He's smart, and he's worked hard. He could have been a lawyer or a doctor, but he loves football.
"To think he's got this opportunity now, it's really cool."
At Super Bowl LIX Opening Night on Monday, Jeremiah recalled his father coaching defensive linemen Jevon Kearse, Josh Evans, Kenny Holmes and Jason Fisk on that Titans Super Bowl team in Tennessee. John Thornton, Joe Salave'a, Mike Jones, Henry Ford and Mike Frederick were also a part of that Titans d-line.
"Those guys were amazing, and it was a phenomenal team," Jeremiah Washburn said. "It was an amazing season really, the whole run was amazing. Going back to the Music City Miracle game, the playoff game against the Colts. The Jacksonville win, and then the Super Bowl.
"We talk about it all the time, and we kind of remark about how our Super Bowl two years ago, we lost in similar fashion to how they did. But you are so grateful.
"I think looking back, my dad is grateful they had the opportunity."
With a smile, Jeremiah Washburn said his father still gives him tips about coaching.
He's proud he'll make the trip to New Orleans for Sunday's game, when he'll try and win the family's first Super Bowl ring.
"I think it's special," he said. "He poured so much to us as a dad. And I'll tell you, it's amazing how well he still sees the game. It's pretty remarkable really."
