Rutgers Grad Is Jr. Equipment Manager For L.A. Rams In Super Bowl

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — While getting his bachelor's and graduate degree at Rutgers, Karan Patel got to pursue his lifelong passion: Sports and helping sports teams.

In college, Patel was the student equipment manager for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team. He's since gone on to be a junior equipment manager for the L.A. Rams, and he was on the field Sunday when they won the Super Bowl.

"It was a surreal experience. Standing on the field, watching the fans and confetti come down, the players and everybody hugging each other," said Patel, 25. "I get to work every day with star players like Jaylen Ramsey; I'm on the field doing drills with the team, throwing the football to them. I get to catch punts from Johnny Hekker — and that is not easy! —who is probably going to be in the Hall of Fame one day."

Patel grew up in the Avenel section of Woodbridge, and he went to Woodbridge public schools. He always wanted to play sports, but he's well ... tiny: "I was 4'9" and 75 pounds soaking wet (in high school). I tried out for the Colonia baseball team my freshman year and was cut. I tried out again as a sophomore. Again I was cut. I was just too small."

Patel said it was the Colonia High School athletic director who noticed how determined he was and said he could be the equipment manager for the Colonia football team.

Patel said he loved the work so much that Eric LeGrand, the nationally known Rutgers football star who also grew up in Avenel, made some calls to see if Patel could do it when he left high school and went on to Rutgers.

LeGrand's connections worked: For eight years, Patel had a job as the student equipment manager for RU. It was a paid job and one he had while getting his degrees in information technology and business administration.

From there, he was hired by the L.A. Rams for a two-year equipment manager "fellowship."

Patel said he always knew the Rams would win a Super Bowl.

"The players are awesome and my only job is to make sure they have what they need and go out there and win on a Sunday," he said. "They're down to earth. They treat us like we matter, like we're part of the team. This is a brotherhood. We have this thing on the Rams called We, not me. We play and work for each other."

Patel said he will forever remember being a part of Super Bowl LVI.

"Being the small kid who got cut from the baseball team, I was like, 'I'm doing what I love and nobody can ever take this win away from me.'"

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