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This weekend, of course, is the Super Bowl and there are a few KELOLAND connections to the big game. One of whom grew up in the small town of Baltic, South Dakota.
The frozen tundra of Nordic Field in Baltic isn't as famous as Lambeau Field in Green Bay. But it's where a young Brad Seely first made a name for himself in football. Seely graduated from Baltic High School back in 1974. It was the beginning to a long and successful career on the grid iron.
This Sunday, Seely will be on the sidelines for the San Francisco 49ers, where he's currently the assistant coach and in charge of special teams.
"Brad is a great guy," Myron Nohava of Baltic said.
Nohava has known Seely for 35 years and considers him one of his close friends. In fact, Seely has invited Nohava to several of his games to be on the sidelines as his guest.
"Everybody thinks it's a glamorous job and it is, but those guys put in a lot of hours," Nohava said. "After the Monday night game in San Francisco I went to, he went straight from the game to the office, worked until 4 o'clock in the morning, came home and slept for a couple of hours and then back to work."
Seely's name and picture still hang in the cafeteria, where he was inducted to the Baltic Hall of Fame. And he hasn't forgotten his roots. Seely has donated money to help support Baltic's improved football field and sporting complex.
"I think it's great, to know Brad, he's so down to earth, if you didn't know him personally, he was just like any ordinary guy going out doing his job," Nohava said.
A job that has earned him two Super Bowl rings with the New England Patriots and this weekend he'll be looking to make it three.
"You know, we are pretty much in Vikings country, but right now, everybody here is rooting for the 49ers," Nohava said.
Seely's mother still lives in the Baltic area. We tried reaching out to her, but were told she might already be in New Orleans for the Super Bowl.
The other KELOLAND connection is Trent Baalke. He coached football at SDSU and is in his second year as General Manager for the 49ers.
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