Philadelphia Eagles rookie Trevor Keegan, who is a Crystal Lake native and was voted #1 football player in Illinois, is set to make an appearance at the Super Bowl Sunday evening.
Keegan, who is 24 and an alumnus of Crystal Lake District 47, attended Glacier Ridge Elementary and Bernotas Middle School as well as Crystal Lake South High School in District 155.
Keegan is #79 and a left guard for the Philadelphia Eagles who are in this year’s NFL Super Bowl.
His former school district said his journey to football’s grandest stage has been fueled by years of dedication, community support and lifelong friendships formed in Crystal Lake.
His mother, Amanda Keegan, is a nurse at West Elementary and said the excitement is overwhelming.
“When we realized he was going to the Super Bowl, it may have been the most surreal moment of his football career,” she said in an interview with District 47 earlier this week.
“Winning the National Championship with Michigan in 2023 was incredible, but going to the Super Bowl is what he has dreamed of since he was a little kid,” Amanda Keegan said.
Keegan played youth football for the Crystal Lake Raiders during his elementary and middle school years, where he formed lasting friendships with teammates from across District 47.
“He was coached by several different volunteer coaches, most of whom had sons attending D47 schools,” his mother said. “Some of those coaches and kids have become our lifelong friends.”
Amanda Keegan said her son’s potential, even as a young player, was undeniable.
“Trevor was one of the few very big kids in the area, and most dads and coaches knew him and would comment about him playing football for a very long time at the next level,” she said in the interview.
Keegan’s football journey continued at Crystal Lake South High School where he played his senior year with many of the same teammates from his youth football days.
Keegan went on to play for the University of Michigan, which won the National Championship in 2023.
The Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce displayed “Congratulations Trevor Keegan National Champion” on its sign.
“Anytime we run into kids he played football with, they always ask how he’s doing and to tell him ‘Hi.’ Some of his elementary and middle school friends even traveled to Michigan to watch him play,” Amanda Keegan said.
According to the Philadelphia Eagles, Keegan was previously voted the number one player in Illinois and voted a Rivals all-state selection during his senior year at Crystal Lake High School.
District 47 said that from Friday night lights to the biggest stage in football, Keegan’s journey is a “testament to hard work, community, and the unwavering support of his hometown.”