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Army vet, who loves 49ers, surprised with trip to Super Bowl LVII from NFL's Mark Andrews

shannon mia belt, the record
·2 min read
Johnny Velasquez, 80, poses in his U.S. Army uniform after his 12 years of service.
Johnny Velasquez, 80, poses in his U.S. Army uniform after his 12 years of service.

Johnny Velasquez, a U.S. Army veteran and a huge San Francisco 49ers fan, will be living out what millions every year hope to experience: a trip to the Super Bowl.

“When I hopped on the call I didn’t know what it was for and then a lady came on and said ‘Congratulations, you’ve been selected to go to the Super Bowl and I said oh my god,” said Velasquez of the surprise phone call he received Tuesday at his home in Tracy. “I called my wife, Lillian, and told her to come on over here and hear this.”

Mark Andrews, a tight end with the Baltimore Ravens, joined by representatives of various groups, had a hand in choosing Velasquez to receive his pass to Super Bowl LVII. In making the announcement, organizers cited his 12 years of military service, which included two tours of duty in Vietnam and two tours in Germany. His service earned him the Air Medal, Army Commendation, Purple Heart and Silver Star.

After he was discharged, Velasquez spent 32 years in law enforcement as a San Francisco police sergeant. He moved to Tracy after retirement to be closer to his grandkids.

Working with Andrews were USAA, Official NFL Salute to Service Partner and the 101st Airborne Division Association to send Velasquez and his wife on an experience of a lifetime while also lifting him up for his service.

Johnny Velasquez gets fitted for his military uniform in June of 1968.
Johnny Velasquez gets fitted for his military uniform in June of 1968.

“It is an honor. To say the least, it's an honor,” Velasquez said. “ I can't say enough for USAA and the 101st Airborne Division for selecting me. I mean I'm not that much of a hero or somebody who goes around putting stuff on your chest, but I really feel honored.”

Johnny and Lillian Velasquez will head to Phoenix on Feb. 12, hoping that their beloved San Francisco 49ers will be joining them. At 80 years old, Velasquez has been rooting for the Niners since 1948.

“The 49ers making the Super Bowl, well now wouldn’t that be the icing on the cake,” he said. “I was a 40-year season ticket holder for the 49ers so I’ve been a lifelong fan.”

Even if the 49ers don’t play in the Super Bowl, Velasquez and his wife will be sporting their Niners gear at the big game.

Record reporter Shannon Belt covers sports. She can be reached at sbelt@recordnet.com or on Twitter @ShannonBelt3. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record.

This article originally appeared on The Record: California veteran who loves 49ers honored with Super Bowl LVII trip