NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. — Super Bowl LVII was a big game for people across the country including right here in Southwest Florida.
"Biggest football party of the year!”
And what better way to celebrate with a little music and food and drink at Tommy’s Bar at the Shell Factory.
“I would say this is exciting because these teams are well matched and because we live in Bethlehem, about 90 miles from Philadelphia, I guess I’m leaning towards Philadelphia," said Ray Kittelstad, from Pennsylvania. "Except the quarterback on Kansas City can pull a rabbit out of a hat!”
Amongst this crowd is a pretty even split of Eagles fans…
“Fly Eagles fly, baby!" said Annabelle Marler, bartender at Tommy’s. "They won the super bowl a couple years ago, I was working, so here we go bringing that luck again!”
And Chiefs fans.
“I mean I’m a Florida girl born and raised, but there’s nothing like going to a Kansas City Chiefs game," said Melanie Miller, a Chiefs fan. "Seriously, there isn’t.”
Like many in Southwest Florida, Melanie Miller and her husband are allowing the big game to take their mind’s off of recent events.
"Since the hurricane, we still have some things that are being fixed and everything," said Miller. "So we’re just gonna go and just him and I are going to watch the game at home. We decided to come out prior to and have fun before!”
Also having fun are Deb Belcher and Patty Hiltibital.
"Go Chiefs!” said Hiltibital.
"Go Eagles!” said Belcher.
Who, despite their differences, have been friends for 48 years!
"Friendly competition! We moved down here to paradise and we can’t get along all the time you know.”
So, maybe the better question to ask, is how are these fans coexisting together?
"We’re making the best of it!" said Marler. "Buying each other drinks is what we’re doing! Trying to get each other messed up! (laughs)”
But no matter who these fans think is going to take the win…
"Umm… Kansas City Chiefs! Chiefs kingdom!” said Miller.
You can count on there being no love lost.
“I do have friends living in Kansas City so whoever wins, much love!” said Marler.
