For Kyle Dreessen, being a Seattle Seahawks fan has never been a casual interest or a seasonal habit. It has been a defining thread running through his entire life, shaping his memories, relationships and sense of belonging. From childhood Sundays spent following the team to the “12” tattoo permanently inked on his hand, the Seahawks have represented continuity, loyalty and community. That bond took on an even deeper meaning after November 2024, when Dreessen was diagnosed with grade 4 astrocytoma, an aggressive and terminal form of brain cancer.
As he began radiation, chemotherapy and physical therapy, the familiar rhythms of the NFL season offered something rare and precious: moments of hope and emotional grounding during an otherwise overwhelming chapter of life. Dreessen’s story gained public attention not because of spectacle, but because of its quiet humanity. As his health declined, his wife, Blair Dreessen, turned to social media to document his journey and share a simple wish her husband held close to his heart. Kyle had long dreamed of seeing the Seahawks reach the Super Bowl.
With doctors telling him it was “not a matter of if, but when,” that dream became less abstract and more urgent. What followed was not just the fulfillment of a lifelong goal, but a powerful illustration of how sports communities can rally around one of their own in moments that matter most.
Kyle Dreessen’s connection to the Seahawks is rooted in family history as much as personal passion. His mother once cheered on the sidelines as a Seahawks cheerleader in the 1980s, a detail that adds generational depth to his fandom. For him, the team has always been present through the highs and lows, through rebuilding years and championship glory alike. That constancy became especially significant after his diagnosis, when the future suddenly felt uncertain and time took on a different weight.
As the 2025 season progressed and the Seahawks advanced through the playoffs, what once seemed like a distant hope began to feel possible. The team’s postseason run coincided with some of the most physically and emotionally demanding months of Dreessen’s life. Yet amid treatments that cost him much of his vision and tested his endurance, game days offered something to look forward to, something familiar to anchor himself to. The Seahawks’ journey became intertwined with his own, each victory carrying added emotional resonance for his family.
A Lifelong Bond Between Fan and Franchise
Kyle Dreessen has often described his love for the Seahawks as “lifelong,” a word that, in his circumstances, carries profound weight. For decades, the team has been a constant presence, representing stability in a world that rarely stays still. He speaks about the Seahawks not only in terms of wins and losses, but as an enduring relationship built on shared history and emotional investment. “We’ve had our rough years, we had our good years, we got our great years, but they’re always there,” he told KIRO 7, capturing the essence of true fandom.
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That sense of permanence became even more meaningful after his cancer diagnosis. Grade 4 astrocytoma is known for its aggressiveness, and from the outset, doctors were candid about the prognosis. Treatment quickly became a central part of daily life, bringing physical side effects and emotional strain. Yet throughout it all, the Seahawks season continued, offering a sense of normalcy that felt increasingly rare. For Dreessen, following the team was not an escape from reality, but a way of staying connected to something larger than himself.
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Blair Dreessen has spoken openly about the shock that followed the diagnosis and how quickly their lives were upended. Decisions had to be made rapidly, information absorbed under emotional pressure, and routines rebuilt around hospital visits and therapies. In that context, the Seahawks’ games provided moments where the family could simply be together, united by a familiar passion. The NFC Championship win on January 25 against the Los Angeles Rams was particularly emotional, marking not just a sporting achievement but a shared moment of joy during an otherwise heavy period.
As Kyle continued treatment, small gestures from the community reinforced how deeply his story resonated. During radiation sessions, he was given a hand-painted Seahawks mask, transforming a medical necessity into a symbol of encouragement. Messages of support arrived not only from fellow Seahawks fans, but also from supporters of rival teams, underscoring how compassion can transcend competitive boundaries. For Kyle, these gestures reaffirmed what sports had always meant to him: a shared language that connects people across differences.
That connection extended to the Seahawks organization itself. In November, Kyle was invited to raise the 12th Man flag with his son, a moment that blended personal pride with public recognition. It was a powerful acknowledgment of his devotion to the team and the journey he was facing. While the flag-raising was deeply meaningful, the Super Bowl dream still loomed as the ultimate wish, one that seemed both tantalizingly close and heartbreakingly uncertain.
A Community Rallies Around One Wish
Blair Dreessen’s decision to share her husband’s bucket list on social media became a turning point in the story. What began as a personal effort to document memories and milestones quickly gained traction, drawing widespread attention and support. Her posts conveyed not only Kyle’s love for the Seahawks, but also the reality of living with terminal illness: the urgency of time, the need to savor moments, and the importance of hope. As more people engaged with their story, the idea of Kyle attending the Super Bowl shifted from wishful thinking to a genuine possibility.
Kyle himself voiced that hope publicly in November 2025, saying, “If the Seahawks are watching, my bucket list is for you guys to go to the Super Bowl and take me with you.” At the time, it was an expression of optimism rather than expectation. Yet as the Seahawks continued their postseason run, the sentiment resonated with fans and members of the broader sports community. The season became, in Blair’s words, “a really big season” for their family, not just because of the games, but because of what they symbolized.
Behind the scenes, efforts were underway to make the dream a reality. According to KIRO 7, while the Seahawks organization was planning to help fulfill Kyle’s wish, an undisclosed donor close to the family stepped in to cover the practical costs. Airfare, hotel accommodations and tickets were arranged, ensuring that Kyle could attend the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots on Sunday, February 8. The gesture removed logistical barriers and allowed the family to focus on the experience itself rather than the challenges of arranging it.
For Blair, the fulfillment of the wish carried deep emotional significance. She has spoken candidly about the uncertainty they face as a family and the awareness that time together cannot be taken for granted. “We don’t know how many more seasons we’re going to have together as a family,” she said, capturing the reality that makes each shared moment feel both precious and fragile. The Super Bowl trip became more than a sporting event; it was a milestone, a memory to hold onto in the weeks and months ahead.
Kyle’s health challenges did not disappear as the game approached. Treatment side effects continued, including significant vision loss, requiring him to rely heavily on his family and faith. Yet he remained determined to embrace the opportunity. Doctors had been clear that the focus was no longer on cure, but on quality of life and making the most of the time available. Attending the Super Bowl aligned perfectly with that goal, offering a moment of fulfillment rooted in joy rather than illness.
What Sports Mean in the Face of Mortality
For Kyle Dreessen, the significance of attending the Super Bowl goes far beyond witnessing a championship game. It reflects a lifetime of emotional investment and the role sports have played in shaping his identity. He has spoken thoughtfully about what it means to be a diehard fan, emphasizing that it is not confined to game days or final scores. Instead, it is about community, rivalry and camaraderie, about coming together with others who share a common interest and emotional language.
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That sense of community has been especially evident throughout his illness. From hospital staff who recognized his fandom to strangers who reached out online, Kyle has experienced firsthand how sports can foster connection even in the most difficult circumstances. Rival fans offering words of encouragement demonstrated that compassion can override competition when it matters most. These interactions reinforced his belief that sports create bonds that endure beyond the field.
As the Super Bowl approached, the timing carried additional weight. Kyle’s final chemotherapy treatment was scheduled for the week following the game, underscoring the urgency of the moment. Blair described the importance of holding onto “glimmers” during times of hardship, moments that provide hope and emotional sustenance. The Super Bowl trip became one of those glimmers, a bright point in a landscape often dominated by medical appointments and difficult conversations.
Kyle has been open about the realities of his prognosis, acknowledging that doctors have told him it is “not a matter of if, but when.” Rather than focusing on fear, he and his family have chosen to prioritize presence and gratitude. Attending the Super Bowl fits within that philosophy, allowing him to experience something deeply meaningful while he still can. It is an affirmation of life, even in the shadow of terminal illness.
In reflecting on his journey, Kyle has emphasized the role of others in sustaining him through dark days. “Why are we pushing as hard as we’re pushing? Well, because of people like that who care for you,” he said, pointing to the support network that has surrounded him. That network includes family, friends, medical professionals and an extended community of fans who may never meet him, but who share his passion.
Kyle Dreessen’s Super Bowl experience stands as a reminder of what sports can represent at their best. Beyond entertainment or rivalry, they can offer belonging, continuity and moments of shared humanity. For one lifelong Seahawks fan facing the reality of terminal cancer, a single game became a symbol of everything that had sustained him over the years. It was not just about attending the Super Bowl, but about honoring a lifetime of devotion and finding joy, togetherness and meaning when they mattered most.