KENNEBUNK, Maine — For them, the Super Bowl wouldn’t feel complete without being together, and this could be their final gathering.
This realization was hitting three longtime friends hard as they approached this year’s Super Bowl. These octogenarians are the last remaining members of the exclusive “never missed a Super Bowl” club.
Don Crisman from Maine, Gregory Eaton from Michigan, and Tom Henschel from Florida returned to witness another game. However, two of them are facing the reality that their advancing age and declining health may mean this is their last opportunity.
Facing Reality
Crisman, who first met Henschel at the 1983 Super Bowl, is turning 90 this year. Henschel, now 84, has been affected by a stroke. They both expressed that this will likely be their last costly trip to the game, a sentiment shared among the group over the years. Conversely, Eaton, at 86, intends to continue attending as long as his health allows.
Eaton, who operates a ground transportation business in Detroit, is the only one among the trio still working and hopes to witness the Detroit Lions in a Super Bowl one day.
Adjusting Expectations
All three have reduced the duration of their trips over the years. Crisman used to spend a week in the host city, but now they prioritize just attending the game itself.
“We used to stay for a week, now it’s just three or four days,” Crisman noted, while Eaton mentioned how the game’s commercialization has made it an expensive undertaking.
Longstanding Friendships
Henschel admitted this year would be particularly challenging for him due to his health issues, but he was thrilled to reunite with Eaton and Crisman once more. The trio, who have attended every Super Bowl since the inaugural game in 1967, have cherished their time together, regardless of whether they sat together at each game.
The unique bond they share has grown deeper over the years, with Crisman and Henschel even holding a friendly rivalry as they support opposing teams. They’ve spun stories of past games that highlight their shared experiences rather than just the on-field action.
