Super Bowl Appearance 'Surreal' For Crystal Lake Native Trevor Keegan

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL — He started out playing youth football in Crystal Lake. And now he will be realizing his biggest dreams as he steps on the field at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans Sunday to compete as a guard for the Eagles during Super Bowl LIX.

This is Crystal Lake native Trevor Keegan's inaugural year in the NFL. He was picked to join the Eagles as a guard in the fifth round of last year's draft.

Making it to the Super Bowl has been a lifelong dream for the Crystal Lake native, his mom, Amanda Keegan, said.

"When we realized he was going to the Super Bowl, it may have been the most surreal moment of his football career,” she said. “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.”

Keegans's family has strong ties to the Crystal Lake community. Keegan attended Glacier Ridge Elementary and then Bernotas Middle School before going on to play football for Crystal Lake South, according to a District 47 news release.

His mother, Amanda Keegan, works as a nurse at West Elementary School. She said her son is proud of his roots and even has an "815" tattoo, which is the area code for some Crystal Lake phone numbers as well as several other northern Illinois towns.

"I love the photo of him on one knee showing his tattoos—you can see the ‘815,’ always representing,” Amanda told D47 officials in an interview this past week.

Keegan played youth football in the area. The now 6-foot, 5-inch, 305-pound pro football guard always stood out for his size, according to a District 47 press release.

“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,” Amanda Keegan said.

The relationships Keegan and his family formed during Keegan's time in Crystal Lake have been monumental.

“He was coached by several different volunteer coaches, most of whom had sons attending D47 schools,” Amanda Keegan said. “Some of those coaches and kids have become our lifelong friends.”

He went on to play football at Crystal Lake South, joined by many of the same teammates he had during youth football days. During his senior year, he was voted a Rivals.com all-state selection and was rated the No. 1 player in Illinois, according to the Eagles website.

“It was the most amazing senior year of Friday Night Lights," Amanda Keegan said.

Keegan went on to play for the University of Michigan and was part of the 2023 national championship team. After winning, the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce proudly displayed, "Congratulations Trevor Keegan National Champion" on its sign, according to District 47 officials.

Amanda regularly runs into area residents who played with Keegan over the years.

“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.

Amanda Keegan said D47 teachers and students have been excited for her and her family. She said a West teacher crocheted her a "Swoop," which is the Eagles mascot. Another teacher brought Eagles cookies.

"Staff pop into my office asking about our plans, how we’re doing, and when we leave. The students seem excited too. Most are Bears fans or KC fans, but we have a handful of Eagles fans now," she said.

This past week, the West Social Committee surprised Amanda by wearing green in support of her and her son as she prepares to leave for the Super Bowl, according to District 47.

The Eagles will be squaring off against the Kansas City Chiefs during Super Bowl LIX Sunday. The game starts at 5:30 p.m.

One other Illinois high school graduate, Jake Elliott, will make his third Super Bowl appearance on Sunday. The kicker graduated from Lyons Township High School.

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