Austin Hooper, the tight end for the New England Patriots and a Stanford alum, is gearing up for his second appearance in the Super Bowl, this time at Super Bowl LX. His journey back to this pinnacle of football has included a significant return to his roots in the Bay Area, where the Patriots have been practicing on Stanford”s campus.
In an interview conducted by Joanne dePierre during the Opening Night of Super Bowl LX at the San Jose Convention Center, Hooper discussed the emotional impact of returning to Stanford as a seasoned NFL player. “It”s unbelievable to be walking through that tunnel again,” Hooper stated. “It brought back a lot of awesome memories. I really enjoy the opportunity to be back on campus. As a student, you don”t appreciate it until you leave — and then you come back and you”re like, “alright, yeah, this place truly is special.”
Reflecting on the lessons learned during his time at Stanford, Hooper credited his coaches for shaping his professional career. “All my teachers within football — David Shaw, Mike Bloomgren, Morgan Turner, Tavita Pritchard — all those guys were tremendous teachers,” he said. “Being able to be around those kinds of men and see what they stand for, I couldn”t have been more grateful to have those teachers at a young age.”
When asked about his favorite spots on campus, Hooper fondly remembered the old Meyer Library, stating, “That was my spot. They blew it up after my sophomore year, but that used to be my favorite.” He also shared his thoughts on dining options during his time at Stanford, noting that the business school was the only venue offering consistently good food.
As Hooper prepares for a chance at securing the coveted Lombardi Trophy, his return to Stanford serves as a poignant reminder of the formative years that paved the way for his NFL career. The connection to his past enhances the significance of this moment as he approaches one of the most important games in football.
