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How Eagles kicker Jake Elliott's impact lasts at Lyons Township in his third Super Bowl
Jake Elliott is in his third Super Bowl. That hasn't diminished the impact he has on Lyons Township High School where he once began his kicking career.
LA GRANGE, Ill. - For the third time since 2018, Lyons Township High School will be represented in the Super Bowl through Eagles kicker, Jake Elliott. Elliott became a kicker by happenstance.
"We didn't have a kicker," LTHS Football head coach Jon Beutjer said. "He was basically pulled off the tennis courts to join the football program and obviously the rest is history."
"He got up there at a homecoming competition, booted the ball and they wanted him to come kick."
LTHS senior and kicker AJ Vavrik always looked up to Jake Elliott.
"One of my Instagram posts my sophomore year was, 'The next Jake Elliott' because I wanted to be just like him," Vavrik said.
Just like Elliott, Vavrik now walks the same LTHS halls and has played for the same team.
"To think he was in the shoes I'm in right now, and to think he did what he did, I can do the same thing as him," Vavrik added. "I really look forward to the next steps because I want to be exactly like him."
LTHS head football coach Jon Beutjer uses Elliott as an example to all of his student-athletes.
"We have his jersey at South Campus," Beutjer said. "For all his hard work and stuff he's accomplished in college and with the Eagles, it gives our players hope and inspiration that if you work hard and stay consistent, they can accomplish their goals."
While Elliott serves as an inspiration to current Lyons Township High School football players from afar, he makes sure to show he hasn't forgotten where he came from.
"A couple years ago we had a very special player, Patrick Woods." Beutjer said. "Committed, hardworking, loves LT, loves Jake Elliott and the Eagles. After one of the practices he surprised Patrick with a bunch of Eagles gear."
"It was just really cool to see his reaction," Vavrik recalled. "It means a lot to our community to see him donate stuff."
"It was a special moment for Patrick and shows what type of person Jake Elliott is," Beutjer added.
Vavrik has never met Elliott in person, but has admired from afar. If he had the chance to talk to him he'd ask, "How he went from a tennis player to an NFL kicker. It's a really cool thing he's got going. I want to know how he got to where he is."
On Sunday, Elliott will be kicking on the biggest stage. Playing for his 2nd Super Bowl ring. Both Beutjer and Vavrik picked the Eagles to win, by three.