The fourth Super Bowl appearance for Seattle will mark the first time a Spoofhound reaches the sport's summit.
Maryville High School alumnus Jalen Sundell, will start at center as the Seahawks face the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX on Sunday.
"A lot of NFL players have their own story, their own journey," Bob Sundell, Jalen's father, said. "Everyone's unique. That just makes it really, really special."
It's the dream for every football player, and Jalen's parents, Bob and Korena, are soaking in every moment.
"It's really neat just being along for the ride. We do a pretty good job of living vicariously through him, because we're not the out there getting beat up and we're not the ones having to sit in the ice tubs."
Sundell has found a home in Seattle.
He made the leap from undrafted free agent to anchor of the offensive line for the NFC Champs in his second season with the Seahawks, while working with new quarterback Sam Darnold and first-year offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.
But his roster spot in Seattle wasn't a given.
"We just wanted him to have a chance, and Seattle was the only team that offered him a tryout," Korena said. "It was a 20 minute tryout in front of 30 scouts and coaches. He was all by himself. That was his one shot."
Jalen earned his place on the team in 2024 and played in 12 games. This season he's started in all 15 games he's been active for, including a pair of playoff victories over division rivals San Francisco and Los Angeles.
After a football upbringing in environments like Maryville and North Dakota State University that put an emphasis details and culture, Jalen found the right fit in the professional ranks, too.
"What's really neat about it is that they kind of preach the same stuff that he started hearing at Maryville High School and North Dakota State about hard work and going through the process, stacking good day after good day. It's more than just lip service," Bob said.
Jalen began developing into a dominant force on the football field as a junior at Maryville High School earning First Team All-State honors. It was a conversation that year with Spoofhound head coach Matt Webb that opened his eyes to a potential career in football.
"(Coach Webb) said 'hey, you've got a shot here if this is what you want. You've got a shot to go to the next level.' (Jalen) came home told us about that conversation, and here we are today," Korena said.
From high school football state champion to winning national titles at North Dakota State, and now on the cusp of the Super Bowl, Jalen's a proven winner that continues to rise to the occasion. It stems from a work ethic that he and younger sister Serena, an all-time great Spoofhound and professional basketball player, were raised with.
"They don't know any better," Bob said. "That's just what they were taught. They had youth coaches that would push them and not accept anything less than 100% effort. It just kind of got ingrained in them at an early age that if you're going to do this, you're going to have to work at it."
Sunday in Santa Clara will be the culmination of hard work that goes beyond the practice field, and marks another incredible achievement for Jalen and the entire Sundell family.
"He runs out of the tunnel in Seattle and I'm crying," Korena said. "All of those firsts are very emotional for me, so I know it's going to hit me watching him run out of the tunnel in the Super Bowl. We're extremely proud of that kid."
