Kansas City Chiefs guard Mike Caliendo's Wisconsin connection
Brookfield native in Super Bowl LIX
On Super Bowl Sunday, one Brookfield native hopes to fulfill some big dreams in the big easy. He'll get the chance to do so with his fiercest supporters right by his side. FOX6's Lily Zhao introduces us to Mike Caliendo.
BROOKFIELD, Wis. - On Super Bowl Sunday, a Brookfield native hopes to fulfill some big dreams in the Big Easy – and he will get the change to do so with his fiercest supporters by his side.
Pride for Brookfield native
What we know:
Charlie and Sue Caliendo are the proud parents of a two-time Super Bowl champion.
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In a corner of their home in Brookfield, they celebrate the achievements of their son, Mike Caliendo, the starting left guard for the Kansas City Chiefs.
"He's worked hard to earn his spot too, and to see that come to fruition, with actually starting for the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl? It's beyond him and us," said Sue Caliendo.
Sue and Charlie Caliendo
The Caliendos are part of a historic ride with their son – as they get ready to cheer him on in his third straight Super Bowl with the Chiefs.
"You have to kind of go back to the first time it happened to us, and still use the cliché, it's once in a lifetime. And you know, so many great players who never got the chance. And now your son is getting that chance to go. And then it happens again. And now, he's not just on the sideline, he's on the field for a handful of plays," said Charlie Caliendo.
From Mike's vantage point
Timeline:
On Sunday, Feb. 9, Mike Caliendo will make his sixth straight start.
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"It's been definitely crazy, but 100% it's been a blessing and just the opportunities that God has presented me with these past few weeks have been incredible," said Mike Caliendo.
It certainly took plenty of hard work to get to this point. From his days playing flag football, to his time at Brookfield East High School and Western Michigan University, the offensive lineman made a life choice. Mike pivoted from going to medical school and eventually landed in Kansas City as an undrafted free agent in 2022.
Mike Caliendo
From there, Caliendo worked his way up from the practice squad and earned a spot on the 53-man roster.
This season, Caliendo finally was able to step in at left guard.
"I never got that far when I was dreaming as a kid, starting in the Super Bowl," Mike said.
Now, Caliendo could be on this way to being a part of NFL history with a third straight Super Bowl victory.
"It's never been done before so it's kind of hard to conceptualize," said Mike. "It probably won't really sink in until a few years down the road, I would imagine."
Support from Wisconsin
Local perspective:
Back home in Wisconsin, that reality of what could be hasn't quite sunken in yet either.
"I really haven't gotten that far ahead, but now that you brought it up, I'm like there's going to be tears because I'm almost holding back tears even thinking about answering that question," Charlie said.
And like they've done time and time again, the Caliendo family will be in the stands cheering on their favorite No. 66. In fact, eight family members in total will be in New Orleans.
"I can't miss a moment of it," Sue said. "Just pride, it just, it just is insane."
On Super Bowl Sunday, history awaits. The Chiefs battle the Eagles in Super Bowl 59, right here on FOX6.
The Source: The information in this post was produced by FOX6 Sports.