Akron-born Patriots coach Mike Vrabel plans to be back in Super Bowl

Before the New England Patriots lost 29-13 to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl 60, Mike Vrabel accepted his old Walsh Jesuit High School football coach’s challenge to return to the big game. Former longtime Walsh coach Gerry Rardin wanted to travel to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, to cheer for the Patriots during Vrabel’s first Super Bowl as a head coach on Sunday, Feb. 8. Rardin was offered tickets by two of his former Walsh players, Vrabel and Patriots director of sports performance Frank Piraino. However, Rardin and his wife, Jan, instead made plans to watch Patriots versus Seahawks from their home in Stow because Rardin is recovering from two recent surgeries. Rardin has...