Head groundskeeper for Super Bowl XLVIII has worked at every Super Bowl

Jan 22, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; A general view as stadium workers clean snow from the field and stands during the Super Bowl XLVIII stadium preparations press conference at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

When the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks run out onto the field at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, they should thank head groundskeeper George Toma.

Actually, every player to have ever run out onto the field in a Super Bowl should thank Toma. He’s worked at ’em all.

The Washington Post profiled Toma on Friday, and it’s a great read. Toma — who is somewhat of a legend in Kansas City, having served as the head groundskeeper for the Chiefs and the Royals for decades — received his big break back when he worked as the head groundskeeper for the Kansas City Athletics. According to the story, then-NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle noticed the exceptionally high quality of the Athletics’ field and decided to hire Tomas to work at the very first Super Bowl. The field looked so good that Toma was invited back, eventually growing into an integral part of the annual event.

If you’re intrigued by Toma’s life and want to learn more, you should check out his autobiography.

[Source: The Washington Post]

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