Riptide Operator Plays in Superbowl XXXIX
January 31, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
San Diego Riptide News Release
JACKSONVILLE â After nine seasons in the league, this could be the one where he finally takes it home. Riptide Operator Jon Runyan boarded a plane to Jacksonville on Sunday with his fellow Eagles to compete against the New England Patriots in Superbowl XXXIX.
"I'm really excited to get there," said Runyan. "This past week, we've just been plugging away and have been treating it like any other week, but once we get there, it's going to be a media frenzy."
This marks the second time the veteran tackle has made an appearance in the Superbowl. Runyan's first trip to the game was in 2000 with the Tennessee Titans, a game that will forever mark football as a game of inches. The Titans fell to the St. Louis Rams 23-16 when Kevin Dyson was tackled on the 1-yardline as time expired. This time around, he feels confident that his dream will come true.
"This is definitely a better team. We're a winning team. If the offensive line plays well in the Super Bowl we will win. It's up to us up front to keep (Donovan McNabb) clean. If we give Donovan time - no matter who's out there running the patterns - he'll find somebody open."
Runyan made the move to Philadelphia in 2000 after playing three seasons with Tennessee. Since being on the team, the Eagles have never missed the playoffs and found their way to four AFC Championship games.
"I knew that the winning was going to happen," Runyan said. "You know, I've never been on a losing team in the NFL."
In a game that will be recorded as the solidification of the New England Patriots dynasty or the year the Eagles break the curse, Runyan keeps his mind focused and ready. It's just going to be another day on the front lines, but this time he may get that bonus he's always deserved.
And in San Diego, the Riptide cheer "Fly Eagles Fly, Soar to Victory!"
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