Tickets to the Super Bowl: Free.

Cost of gas necessary to drive to Detroit: Probably about $60 round-trip.

Getting to watch your son play in the Super Bowl: Priceless.

It’s no secret that there’s probably no prouder mother in Lebanon right now than Carla Terrill. That’s because her son, Craig Terrill, is a member of the Seattle Seahawks, who play the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XL Sunday in Detroit.

The Terrills are well-known in Lebanon, as Craig and his brothers, Jason Terrill and Troy Terrill, were all standout athletes at Lebanon High School. Craig is the youngest of the bunch, having graduated from LHS in 1999.

After a successful football career at Purdue University, from which he graduated in 2004, Craig Terrill was drafted by Seattle as a defensive lineman. He played some in his rookie year, but has had an expanded role in the team’s defense this year.

“He’s always been a little bit different,” Carla Terrill said of Craig. Even back during his Lebanon Youth Football days, Carla Terrill said that her son “would just be like a steamroller out there.”

“He’s just a difference-maker,” Carla Terrill said. She noted that her son “doesn’t have to be the star” of the game, but is more interested in making sure his team gets the win.

Carla Terrill also noted her son’s gregariousness towards the Seahawks fans, who Craig Terrill said in an interview with The Reporter had been waiting for a chance to cheer their team on to the Super Bowl.

“At the end of the game, (he was) the only player who went all around the stadium and high-fived the fans,” Carla Terrill said.

Carla said that her son is treated no differently than the other players, and also noted that the performer in the one-time band member still comes out from time to time.

“At an event at Halloween, Craig went as Ron Burgundy from ‘Anchorman,’” Carla Terrill said, referring to a recent movie starring Will Ferrell. “He went around and did the news. There’s still that ham.”

Carla Terrill attended both of the Seahawks’ playoff games. She said that an NFL game is much different than high school and college games, in that now her son is playing for his livelihood.

“During the National Anthem, I’m saying a prayer asking God to let him succeed,” Carla Terrill said. “You worry about them, but you want so badly for them to succeed.”

Craig’s older brother Troy Terrill attended the Seahawks’ first playoff game, Jan. 14 against the Washington Redskins.

“It was great,” Troy Terrill said. “It was louder than you could ever possibly imagine. It was the loudest I’d ever heard an outdoor stadium in my life.”

Troy Terrill was back home in Lebanon to watch the NFC Championship game, but will join his mother and middle brother Jason Terrill, along with other members of the Terrill family, in Detroit for the Super Bowl. Carla Terrill said she’d be heading up to Motown Thursday to take part in the family activities offered by the NFL. She’s also excited to see the Super Bowl halftime show.

“I’m looking forward to Mick Jagger,” Carla Terrill said. “He’s my generation.”

Troy Terrill said that Lebanon has been “amazingly supportive” to Craig’s accomplishment. At some of the recent Lebanon basketball games, there have been boards where hoops fans can sign a big letter of encouragement for Terrill as he gets ready to play in the Super Bowl.

“Obviously the Indianapolis Colts are the local team, but everybody in hiding is kind of rooting for the Seahawks,” Troy Terrill said.

Carla Terrill is thrilled at how much support her son is getting, noting that she has seen a number of people around wearing Craig Terrill jerseys.

“Our family appreciates the community support,” Carla Terrill said.



Coming up

The media glare from Super Bowl XL begins in earnest today with the annual Media Day. See Wednesday’s edition of The Lebanon Reporter for our report on Craig Terrill and Super Bowl XL, and check www.reporter.net this evening for extended multimedia coverage.



Support your local lineman

Want to see what others are saying about Craig Terrill being in the Super Bowl? Go to The Reporter’s Web site, www.reporter.net, and click on the Boone Buzz link located near the top of the page. Click on Local Issue: Lebanon and look for the link “Craig Terrill in Super Bowl.” The Web address to that page is http://community.cnhi.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/7221021/m/920104241