As the Philadelphia Eagles dominated the Kansas Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, a battle of attrition took place in San Quentin Rehabilitation Center’s Chapel B.

Although correctional officers did not participate in SQRC’s second annual Super Bowl Party this year, the attendance doubled — but to the chagrin of the pure football enthusiast.

“I’d rather watch this in my building because of the distraction of the video games,” said resident Chris Christopher Granman, 45. He referred to the integration of three interactive games on large-screen TVs located against the north wall of the hall.

Resident football fans said the noise and attention to games such as Madden took away from the featured annual classic.

“We missed a lot of classic commercials and pre-game analysis,” he said. “I’m leaving at halftime or when count clears.”

SQRC’s Chaplain Father George Williams, who had prayed for a better turnout this year, had a more positive experience.

“Just seeing the enthusiasm and liveliness in a fanatical environment is always fun,” said Williams. “This type of event would never have been conceived without the commitment to the transition to rehabilitation.”

Warden Andes, wearing his traditional Pat Tillman #40 jersey, visited with the resident fans during the game.

“This is much better than last year,” said Andes as he greeted the residents. “The energy is a lot better this year and I see how the vision is growing.”

SQRC’s usual festivities of gluttonous eating, analyzing each other’s Super Bowl predictions, and the rankings of the commercials happened in the units, as the units had more communication between staff and residents than in the chapel for the second consecutive year.

The rehabilitation center annually experienced its traditional onslaught of “trash talking” and celebration in the living areas during the game, but the energy in the units also subsided as the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes experienced their worst game in the Andy Reid era.

The decision to separate meals between staff and residents continued to leave a “sour taste” in some residents who felt slighted about the proposed community event.

“The weather, the coldness, and wanting to stay warm also attributed to most of us staying in our units, “said resident John Krueger.

Super Bowl party host and IAC Volunteer Coby Phillips, 51, tried to maintain the enthusiasm of change. “To see the smiles, the high-fives and trash talking, where residents actually feel back at home cannot go without notice. I spent years on Level IV and III and never thought this could happen – the change in the environment and the change in people like me.” 

Phillips added, “Just opening the chapel up for recreational use to us should be gratefully cherished. We at SQRC, the staff and residents, work hard to rehabilitate society inside and outside and just the increase in traffic year-over-year should be celebrated. Next year, weather permitting, we could be viewing the game from the terrace on Governor Newsom’s new building. Now that would be awesome.”

Resident Victor Olguin, 41, said, “Warden Andes pushed his vision forward as the event grew to 150 residents cheering and laughing at the commercials and watching Kendrick Lamar put on a historic half-time show.” The game might have been better, but I was amazed to see the video competition, and I’ll be ready next year.”