MOUNT CARMEL TOWNSHIP, NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A local school banded together Friday to get ready for the Super Bowl, but they weren't cheering on the players.
The general manager of the Chiefs grew up in NEPA, Friday his community supported him before the big game.
As Andy Reid gets the Kansas City Chiefs ready for the big game he has a message for a small town.
"Mount Carmel, enjoy that pep rally. Go big red and go Chiefs!" said Reid.
Friday's pep rally at Mount Carmel Area High School celebrated the man who makes the game plan off the field.
Kansas City Chief's general manager and Mount Carmel graduate, Brett Veach.
Veach began his football career in Mount Carmel Township, and David "Whitey" Williams had the honor of calling himself his coach from 1993 to 1996.
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"Whitey" stayed close with his star player even after he hung up his jersey.
"I'd tease Brett. I'd say, 'What're you gonna be, Andy's gopher for his cheeseburgers and pens and pencils your whole life?' And he looked at me one day and said coach, someday I'm gonna be a general manager and I kind of laughed," explained Whitey.
Long-time family friends joined the school district as they cheered for Veach and the Chiefs, looking back on when he joined the team.
"Dorsey went to the browns I said, you watch. Brett's going to get named GM. and Donna Veach, Brett's mom, called my friends and said, 'Guess what?'," added Whitey.
"His mom did call me to tell me the great news. we have followed his career as a general manager. he has just done such an amazing job," said Joann Dobrosky from Tamaqua.
"Whitey" says he's not surprised by how successful Veach is Friday after watching him grow on the field.
"Brett was that kind of leader, and I think that's what took him into the position he is. He understands offense where he was a tailback, a defense he was a cornerback, and on special teams, he ran kick-offs and punts," said Whitey.
Before Veach was bringing home Super Bowl titles, he was bringing home state championships.
After bringing home the title in 1996, whitey says Veach was awarded player of the year and whitey himself brought home coach of the year.
"He never ever forgets where he came from. when he won the first Super Bowl, he brought the trophy home to Mount Carmel, very special. very special people. Very special time. Go Chiefs," says Dobrosky.
Veach says he hopes to bring this year's trophy home soon enough.
"I hope to see you guys all soon, hopefully, this summer bringing home that Lombardy trophy once again," said Veach.
It's clear his hometown is hoping for the same.
As people make their bets for the big game on Sunday, I think we know what team the Mount Carmel area school district is putting their money on.
The big game will kick off at 6:30 on Sunday, and we know Mount Carmel will be sporting their Kansas City red.
