Mongo's owner recalls playing in Superbowl XXV

Posted: Feb 7, 2010 5:01 PM by Danielle Lerner
Updated: Feb 7, 2010 5:01 PM

The Saints and Colts are battling it out in Miami and one Central Coast restaurant owner knows firsthand what it is like to take the field on Superbowl Sunday.

It was 1991, Superbowl XXV started with Whitney Houston and ended with the infamous "wide right" by Bill's kicker Scott Norwood.

The two New York teams faced off against the backdrop of Desert Storm and in the middle of it all was Central Coast resident Tom Rehder, who took the field with the Giants' offensive line.

"The teams were both pretty physical, Parcell's pretty much just was running it right at the Bills and it was just grind out football, that's what Bill did that year," said Rehder.

The Saint Joe and University of Notre Dame graduate is now serving up his own Superbowl specials as owner of Mongo's Sports Bar in Grover Beach.

However he knows all too well the importance of that Sunday Game.

"They play all year for this game," said Rehder. "It doesn't matter if your second, or third or fourth or if you made the playoffs, it only matters if you win the game."

Rehder has the ring but says the details of that day in Tampa are hard to remember.

There is, however, one moment that will always stick out.

"I just remember, I don't know who I said it to I said 'you know, I don't think he's going to make this you know he was choking before the game,'" said Rehder. "You watch it and then start running around. A lot of good memories, it was a great life experience."

The Giants went on to win that game 20-19, the closest margin in Superbowl history.

As for Rehder he played one more season after that with the Minnesota Vikings before leaving the NFL.