Winchester Firefighter Wins Trip to Super Bowl

When Capt. John Surabian takes a phone call it usually involves a frightened individual regarding a fire, but this time it was different.

“I received a call on my cell phone and home phone from a number I did not know, so I let my voicemail pick it up,” Surabian said. “The person on the other end identified themselves as Andre Tippett (former New England Patriots linebacker and NFL Hall of Fame Inductee) and at first, I thought I was being pranked by some coworkers, but decided to call the number and sure enough it was Mr. Andre Tippett to congratulate me.”

Surabian was one of 10 winners of the Patriot promotion of “Super Bowl for Super People.” He was chosenby a lottery. There were two individuals chosen from each of the following occupations: Firefighter, police officer, school teacher, military and nurses.

While Surabian was shocked to learn he'd been chosen, he was very grateful in having the chance to attend Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis.

“I am honored to be the person randomly chosen to represent the firefighter community around New England,” Surabian said.

Surabian attended the Patriots send-off rally at Gillette Stadium Sunday and got a special tour as the Patriots addressed the 25,000 fans in attendance.

“Before the rally, the Krafts had us up to their private offices where we all received sincerity from the Krafts that stated that they appreciate all the work we do in the communities and how they reflect the beliefs of the late wife to Robert Kraft, Myra, who dedicated her life selflessly to others,” Surabian said. “After his little talk, he elbowed me in the side and laughed and stated ‘very underpaid for what you do too.’

"We took a few photos and Mr. Kraft chuckled and said he has some business to attend to: There were 25,000 people waiting for him.”

Surabian, who will be taking his brother to the Indy, is looking forward to the game, as well as the Super Bowl festivities.

“My brother George and I will be departing early Sunday morning from Gillette Stadium and will take a chartered flight to Indy where we will have a long list of pre-arranged activities before, during and after the game before getting our charter flight home,” Surabian said. “Besides the game, a highlight may be the postgame extravaganza for the winners of the lottery, the Kraft family, Patriot players and their families, coaches and staff.

“This is once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and that Monday morning I may just say to myself…’Wow, did that all really just happen?’”

Surabian made it clear that every person in New England that is part of these professions was thanked not just him.

“Like I mentioned before, I was the representative, but the organization was sincere in thanking everyone around New England,” Surabian said. “In his introduction, in front of 25,000 people, Mr. Kraft made this clear and some coworkers in the crowd said they felt that individual appreciation from the Kraft family.”

Surabian, a 20-year firefighter, loves everything about his career and the people he works with on a daily basis.

“Every call is different and creates its own challenges and working with knowledgeable people around you promotes the teamwork that gets the job done and gratifies you with that accomplishment from that individual call,” Surabian said. “We don’t just fight fires anymore (and) our responsibilities have expanded vastly into (handling) medical hazardous materials, accidents, fire prevention, public education, mass casualty and low-scale terrorism as well as mutual aid to other communities that need assistance in emergency situations.”

But, at least for one day on Sunday, Surabian can take a break from work and enjoy a football game with his brother.