Illinois Farmers and Football Players: Growing Champions On and Off the Field

Super Bowl Sunday is more than just the biggest game of the year—it’s a showcase of skill, strategy, endurance, and dedication. In many ways, Illinois farmers and IL Corn share common ground with football players: both put in long hours, rely on teamwork, strategy, and take pride in their craft. And this year, as players take the field for Super Bowl LIX, they’ll be surrounded by something else that’s homegrown - corn.

Corn is everywhere during the big game, even in ways you wouldn’t expect. From the fuel that gets fans to the stadium to the plastic in TV screens, corn is behind the scenes making Super Bowl Sunday possible.

Illinois Roots on the Super Bowl Stage

While no current Super Bowl LIX players were born in Illinois, the state has a deep legacy of producing top NFL talent. The University of Illinois has long been a training ground for future pros, with 21 former Fighting Illini active in the league in 2023. Illinois has also been home to legendary players throughout NFL history, proving that hard work and perseverance—whether on the field or on the farm—can lead to greatness.

Ready, Set, Corn! Finding Corn this Sunday

TV Screens & Stadium Seats
Watching the game on a high-definition screen? That sleek, durable plastic likely contains corn-based bioplastics, making your viewing experience sharper and more sustainable. Even some stadium seats are made with corn-based materials!
Getting to the Game
Whether you’re heading to a friend’s house or making the trek to the stadium, there’s a good chance your car is running on ethanol-blended fuel made from Illinois corn. Ethanol reduces emissions and keeps fuel prices stable, making it a win for both fans and farmers.
Game Day Snacks
Corn is the MVP of Super Bowl snacks! Popcorn, nachos, tortilla chips, and even the sweeteners in BBQ sauces and sodas all come from field corn. Without it, your snack spread wouldn’t be the same. Check out these recipes that may help feed the entire farm crew.
The Field Itself
Many artificial turf fields contain corn-based materials to make them safer and more durable. So when players hit the ground, they’re literally landing on a piece of American agriculture.

Whether it’s growing the food that fuels the fans or training for the biggest game of the year, Illinois farmers and football players know what it means to work hard and push through challenges. Both dedicate themselves to their craft, knowing that the work they do has an impact beyond their own cornfields in central Illinois or football fields under the bright lights of the Super Bowl.

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