Historic weekend for Londoner competing in Super Bowl

Londoners are cheering on local Sydney Brown, who is set to be the first city resident to play in the Super Bowl – CTV's Nick Paparella has the details.

For the first time ever a Londoner who was born and raised in the Forest City is set to compete on football’s largest stage, the Super Bowl.

Sydney Brown who played high school football at South Collegiate Institute (SCI) in south London will be on the field when his Philadelphia Eagles take on the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

Mike Stenning and Dave Martin coached Brown while he was in high school and both agree that he showed a lot of promise from the start.

“He was always a very ferocious player and he always played with a lot of intensity,” said Stenning.

020725_sydney brown London Philadelphia Eagles safety Sydney Brown (21) walks off of the field after an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.) (Daniel Kucin Jr./AP)

Martin says he expects that future and present players at SCI to be inspired by Brown’s accomplishments.

“Students can look up to him and say well if he did it, why not me?” said Martin.

Thousands of Londoners are expected to catch the big game with many rooting for Brown to win the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

“I think he’s aware that a lot of people here in London, Ontario are cheering for him,” Stenning added. “I know he will make us proud.”

020725_sydney brown london superbowl Philadelphia Eagles' Sydney Brown walks off the field before an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) (Matt Slocum/AP)