Chicago Suburbs Represented in Super Bowl

Julian Love of Nazareth Academy and Robert Spillane of Fenwick High School make Super Bowl debuts

Feb. 4, 2026 at 6:55pm

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Despite the Chicago Bears not making the Super Bowl, the city still has plenty to cheer for with several suburban natives set to play in the big game. Julian Love, a safety for the Seattle Seahawks, and Robert Spillane, a linebacker for the New England Patriots, both hail from Chicago's suburbs and are making their Super Bowl debuts.

Why it matters

The participation of Love and Spillane in the Super Bowl highlights the strong football talent that comes out of the Chicago suburbs. Both players have deep roots in their local high school programs, which take pride in producing NFL-caliber talent. Their success also provides inspiration for young athletes in the area who aspire to play at the highest level.

The details

Love, who attended Nazareth Academy in LaGrange Park, says he's still having fun playing football just like in his high school days. His former coach, Tim Racki, praised Love's authenticity and genuine nature. Spillane, an Oak Park native who played at Fenwick High School, is carrying on a family tradition - his grandfather, John Lattner, won the Heisman Trophy at Notre Dame in 1953 before playing in the NFL. Fenwick's current head coach, Matt Battaglia, says Spillane has remained connected to the school since graduating in 2014.

  • The Super Bowl will be played on Sunday, February 9, 2026.

The players

Julian Love

A safety for the Seattle Seahawks who attended Nazareth Academy in LaGrange Park, Illinois.

Robert Spillane

A linebacker for the New England Patriots who attended Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Illinois.

Tim Racki

The head football coach at Nazareth Academy, where he coached Julian Love and won two state championships.

John Lattner

Robert Spillane's grandfather, who won the Heisman Trophy at Notre Dame in 1953 and played in the NFL.

Matt Battaglia

The head football coach at Fenwick High School, where Robert Spillane played.

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What they’re saying

“I have a lot of pride for Chicago. We live in there in the offseason.”

— Julian Love, Safety, Seattle Seahawks (nbcchicago.com)

“What you see on the interviews and on TV is exactly who (Love) is. He really is that authentic and genuine.”

— Tim Racki, Head Football Coach, Nazareth Academy (nbcchicago.com)

“I'm playing for all those kids that I played with growing up in middle school and high school. Fenwick High School is what raised me as a young man and helped me grow into the man I am today.”

— Robert Spillane (nbcchicago.com)

“Robert was a phenomenal athlete. He was tough as they come. But I think the things that really stood out for me is his football IQ was off the charts and he just loved football.”

— Scott Thies, Athletic Director, Fenwick High School (nbcchicago.com)

“That Heisman Trophy was donated back to us by the family and it's out there at every football game with us. Our players touch it before we take the field. We are the only prep school in Illinois to produce a Heisman winner.”

— Matt Battaglia, Head Football Coach, Fenwick High School (nbcchicago.com)

What’s next

The Super Bowl will be played on Sunday, February 9, 2026, where Julian Love's Seattle Seahawks will face off against Robert Spillane's New England Patriots.

The takeaway

The participation of Julian Love and Robert Spillane in the Super Bowl showcases the strong football talent that comes out of the Chicago suburbs. Their success provides inspiration for young athletes in the area who aspire to play at the highest level, while also highlighting the pride and tradition of their respective high school programs.