Jake Bobo of the Seahawks will compete in Super Bowl 60 against the Patriots.

SAN FRANCISCO

Jake Bobo’s road to Super Bowl 60 is quite different from what UCLA once showcased in the Rose Bowl press box.

It’s a longer, more winding journey. With experiences from an East Coast winter, transfer phases, being undrafted, and countless uncertainties woven into each step. Yet, on Sunday, the Bruins will see one of their own on football’s grandest stage again. This time, he’ll be suiting up with the Seahawks, wearing a piece of history on his jersey.

Bobo, a former UCLA wide receiver who initially joined as a temporary player, left as a beloved figure. Now, he’s set to face his hometown Patriots in the Super Bowl.

Raised in Concord, Massachusetts, UCLA helped him grow. Seattle saw potential in him. Each part of this journey matters.

Los Angeles is familiar with this kind of trajectory.

UCLA has a legacy of star players with a bit of an edge.

Think of Troy Aikman, a Hall of Fame quarterback who secured three Super Bowl victories. There’s Jonathan Ogden, a transformative left tackle, and Ken Norton Jr., who has accumulated championships like badges of honor. The Bruins don’t just appear in Super Bowls; they earn their place. And now Bobo, perhaps the most unexpected name among them, is part of this story.

He declared his NFL commitment with a game-changing touchdown that eliminated the LA Rams during the NFC Championship Game. Remarkably, it was his first touchdown of the season and just the fourth in his career.

As the game kicks off on Sunday, UCLA fans will fondly remember Bobo for his steady hands and calculated routes. The Rose Bowl? It still holds a special spot in his heart.

“That’s a tough place to win,” Bobo noted. “Seeing it again makes the experience a bit easier.”

Despite going undrafted in 2023, Bobo has faced challenges in securing a consistent role, playing 45 NFL games with just a handful of meaningful opportunities. His focus has been on blocking, special teams, and timing routes that may not steal the spotlight. There’s a growing chant in Seattle: “More Bobo.” Watching your team in a big game brings its own pride in Los Angeles.

He has never tried to be flashy; in fact, he once remarked that In-N-Out wasn’t all that great. It seems where you live might influence what you think is daring or foolish. But, on Sunday, all that fades away. The essence lies in how UCLA’s tradition lives on through hard work rather than just glamour.