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Weddington native to play in Super Bowl for Broncos

By John Paul, wsoctv.com
By John Paul, wsoctv.com

WEDDINGTON, N.C. — As Panthers Country gears up for Super Bowl Sunday, one Weddington family is caught in the middle.

They’re Panthers fans, but son, Darius Kilgo, plays for the Denver Broncos.

Kilgo’s career started on Weddington High School’s football field.

“It’s unbelievable,” Darius Kilgo said by phone Tuesday. “It still hasn’t hit me yet that I’m going to the Super Bowl in my first year.”

However, reality is setting in for Darius Kilgo when it comes to who he is playing. Most of his family members live in Charlotte and are Panthers fans.

“All of the family are rooting for the Broncos in their Panthers gear,” father Daren Kilgo said.

Darius Kilgo is used to making headlines. His grandparents clipped all of them through his career. Channel 9 was there in 2010 when he signed in 2010.

“Seeing him on the field during Super Bowl Sunday, in uniform, is going to be very, very tearful,” his father said. “But it’s going to be tears of joy.”

Darius Kilgo is in his rookie year -- a nose tackle was picked in the sixth round of the draft. He knows the Panthers are good and doesn’t want to speculate on the game.

“It will be settled on the field,” he said. “I’m not a big trash talker, so let’s keep it at that.”

For some of his family, this is a win-win situation. Grandfather James Kilgo, who has been cheering for the Panthers, said, “If the Panthers win, I’m not going to feel bad.”

Where the family will watch the game is still up in the air. They may be going to San Francisco.

If not, they will be watching Darius Kilgo from home at the most unique watch party in the country.

“We’re going to have a big Super Bowl party,” Daren Kilgo said. “You won’t see anything but orange and blue. Bronco blue.”

Darious Kilgo isn't the only South Carolinian playing for the Broncos.

Broncos defensive end Vance Walker went to Fort Mill High School. He played college football at Georgia Tech.

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