SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) –There’s a buzz around Britton in anticipation of Sunday’s Super Bowl game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Dallas Goedert, a graduate of Britton-Hecla High School, is a tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles. He’s been a starter since 2021 when he started 14 of the 15 games he played. He joined the Eagles in 2018.

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“I think this year there’s a little more chatter,” Goedert’s sister Emily Hrabik said. Hrabik is a teacher in the district. The school has set Friday as Dallas Day, she said. Students who want to participate are encouraged to wear South Dakota State University or Eagles clothing or colors.

“We want to celebrate our hometown kid who is going to be in the Super Bowl,” teacher Jacob Skogstad said of organizing Dallas Day.

“The kids look up to him. It’s a special thing for a town of our size to have someone kids can look up to in the (national) athletic world,” Skogstad said.

The community is also encouraged to decorate windows in support of Goedert, his cousin Dani Dahme said.

“Everyone is excited,” said Jodi Meyer, the mom of Goedert’s girlfriend Aria Meyer. “For a kid to come out of town this size, of 1,000 people to make in the NFL….,” Meyer said.

Meyer and her husband own the local Hardware Hank and have their store decorated for Dallas Day.

Dallas Day decorations at Meyer Hardware Hank. Photo courtesy of Jodi Meyer.Dallas Day decorations at Meyer Hardware Hank. Photo courtesy of Jodi Meyer.

“I’ve got a couple of jerseys up. I made an 88 out of pool noodles,” Meyer said. “We were excited about it.”

Support for Goedert isn’t unusual his family members said. In return, Goedert gives back to the community.

“He comes back and does events at the school,” community member and family member Sydney Yelkin said. “The kids really look up to him.”

“It’s a rare day to walk the halls of school and not see an 88 jersey,” Skogstad said.

Goedert is also willing to donate a jersey or other items for charity events or fundraisers.

Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert speaks during an NFL football news conference in Philadelphia, Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, ahead of Super Bowl LIX against the Kansas City Chiefs. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Goedert donated a jersey that hangs in a school entrance, Skogstad said. Students from visiting schools see that jersey and it starts them talking about Goedert.

Dahme and Hrabik have noticed how his popularity has grown in Philadelphia, a city known for its enthusiastic support of Eagles football.

Dahme recalled leaving a game in Philadelphia with Goedert and as he was driving away from the stadium he “was pulling over, yelling with fans, that’s just the type of person he is. He’s not one to be ‘I’m too cool for this.'”

“In the last couple of years, it’s really gotten to be pretty big,” Hrabik said. “It’s kind of changed his entire life.” When her brother goes to the grocery store or is running errands, “people are coming up to him,” she said.

“You know, we’ve gone out before with him and even in this remote little places, he is 6’5″, but it’s still amazing how many people (recognize him),” Meyer said of the Philadelphia area.

“I know he loves it out there,” Hrabik said. But, “he’s just a small-town kid, so I think sometimes it gets a little overwhelming,” she said.

Sold-out stadiums, multiple playoff runs and Super Bowl appearances are thousands of miles away from Britton-Hecla High School and SDSU.

“Oh my gosh, SDSU,” Dahme said of Goedert’s playing years from 2013-2017. “Literally, the stadium was empty when we were there.” Those were successful years but before any FCS national championships.

“Now they are sold out. That’s insane,” Dahme said. But, back in Goedert’s days “there was always a big crowd (from Britton-Hecla), so many of us,” she said. “We made it fun.”

From left, Goedert sister Emily Hrabik, cousin Dani Dahme and sister Megan Oschsner. Photo courtesy of Dani Dahme.

Fans and family still follow Goedert on game days. They may be watching from home or from a stadium.

Dahme and her family plan to watch at the local VFW on Sunday. Yelkin, the manager of the VFW, said there should be a big crowd.

Hrabik and her family will be nine rows up on the 50-yard line in New Orleans on Sunday.

Watching can be “kind of nerve-racking,” Hrabik said. “You are always praying for him and his health.”

Goedert has had some injuries this season. He missed at least three games in mid-season but was able to return later.

Goedert had 42 catches for 496 yards this season. He had seven catches for 85 yards in the win over Washington in the NFC championship.

It’s tough for him when he can’t play, Hrabik said.

“He does so much in the game,” Dahme said. “That blocking is going to kill him. There’s not a lot of tight ends that block like he does.”

Sometimes, the intensity of Eagles fans spills over into social media. Hrabik said her brother doesn’t post a lot on social media and she doesn’t follow social media. Negative comments, “I don’t like (those) comments. It hurts my big sister heart,” Hrabik said.

Yet, fans have embraced the family when it’s in Philadelphia, she said. Their mom goes to almost all home games.

“She loves the workers in the stadium,” Hrabik said. “They love her. She’s made some awesome relationships out there.”

Goedert has a national profile these days as a member of the Eagles. But he’s still the same kid who followed behind his older sister who was playing sports, Hrabik said.

“He was always tagging along, paying up a level,” Hrabik said.

Even at a roster-listed 6’5″ and 256 pounds, Goedert loves being around and playing with kids.

Dallas Goedert with a nephew. Photo courtesy of Dani Dahme.Dallas Godert with family members. Photo courtesy of Emily Hribak.Dallas Goedert and his sister Emily Hribak. Photo courtesy of Hribak.Dallas Goedert with two nephews. Photo courtesy of Emilly Hribak.

“He’s this big, giant kid. He’s awesome. He’s the best,” Hrabik said. “He’s just the kindest.”

One of Hrabik’s sons is a first-grader in a class that is very sports minded. “The first-grader, his class is crazy about Dallas,” she said.

“He’s just the most down-to-earth person,” Dahme said. “The nicest, funniest guy.”

A good enough guy to even make a dedicated Vikings fan cheer for him.

“My brother is the biggest Vikings fan but he will cheer for the Eagles. He cheers for Dallas,” Dahme said.