Super Bowl stud receives heartwarming surprise

Beebe+is+blindsided+as+Thorgeson+presents+him+with+a+replica+of+his+1983+jersey%2C+announcing+the+school+is+retiring+his+number.

Photo By Lucas Rotter

Beebe is blindsided as Thorgeson presents him with a replica of his 1983 jersey, announcing the school is retiring his number.

By: Dylan Mondi, Shannon Gilkey, Editor, Executive Editor

Throughout the years, Kaneland has had many notable alumni pass through the school halls. Ranging from major league pitchers to university head coaches, successful athletes are no strangers to KHS.

One notable alumni includes Don Beebe who played a whopping nine seasons in the NFL. Six for the Buffalo Bills, one for the Carolina Panthers and two for the Green Bay Packers.

He was a key member of the “Four Falls of Buffalo” teams that made it to four consecutive Super Bowls, only to lose all four.  Along with the Bills, Beebe played in two more Super Bowls with the Packers eventually winning Super Bowl

Before Beebe had NFL aspirations he dreamt of playing in the NBA, but former varsity head football coach Joe Thorgesen helped bring him back to his football roots.

“I reflect on Coach Thorgy a lot. I didn’t like football; I didn’t like contact: I didn’t like putting the helmet on and sweating. I liked playing in the backyard with the guys it was fun. I just didn’t like organized football.” Beebe said.

In celebration of Super Bowl 50, the NFL sent out a golden anniversary football to the high schools who graduated a player who played in the past 50 Super Bowls.

Kaneland honored Beebe Thursday March 3 with an assembly where Thorgesen presented him with the golden football and as a special surprise for Beebe: the retirement of his number 22 which was first worn by his sister and became a family tradition to wear the number. An emotional Beebe also had a surprise for Kaneland, the jersey he wore from the only Super Bowl he won with the Packers.

“I thought I was going to surprise them with the jersey, and here they surprised me with the jersey, and by retiring my number,” Beebe said.

Retiring an athlete’s number is considered one of the highest honors they can receive. Longtime Cubs third baseman Ron Santo compared his number being retired to the Hall of Fame.

Thorgesen said it was one of the best days he has had at Kaneland.

“Of my 23 years here this is a day that I will never forget. Seeing all the coaches come back who I coached with and Don does so much for the kids and our school here that it’s just an honor to have him here. I am so glad we did this and got this done today. I’m so proud of Don and what he has accomplished and like I said he gives back. We’re just so thrilled, so thrilled to be here and witness that. It was one of the great days I’ve had here just watching that.” Thorgesen said.

Current varsity football head coach Tom Fedderly said he appreciates that Beebe has stuck with his roots and still bleeds black and white.

“I think the best thing about Don Beebe is he is that same kid from Sugar Grove. He has never forgotten his roots he bleeds black and white. As he tells his story his journey started at Kaneland and I thought it was a great day. I really do commend the student body they were fantastic. It was a great day,” Fedderly said.