This week Dakota News Now brought you the story of a Dell Rapids veteran getting the trip of a lifetime to the Super Bowl in New Orleans courtesy of Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
Since Friday, the big game weekend has made big memories for her and her daughter.
Staff Sergeant Kim Hubers was shocked to see the outpouring of support and just even to have the tickets. The experience for her and her daughter Aubrey was special.
From the sounds of music being played in the street, to the giant fan fest at the convention center, to meeting Justin Jefferson, it continued to feel like a dream. Their encounter with Jefferson was easily the highlight of their trip as they approached the game and while they were already fans of him before, they left as JJ fans for life.
“He was just the most open, gracious, sweet, heartfelt, just loving and giving man ever,” recalled Kim. “I was just instantly comfortable with him. You could just tell he’s just a good guy with a solid heart.”
@usaa A hug AND #SuperBowlLIX tickets from Justin Jefferson?! Army National Guard #veteran SSG Kim Hubers was recently gifted tickets to Super Bowl LIX thanks to the star @NFL wide receiver and #DAV ♬ original sound – USAA
The Super Bowl weekend experience lived up to the hype and then some. For Aubrey, the self-proclaimed biggest football fan in the family, she was in awe of the festivities.
At the USAA Lounge, they saw many current and former players and coaches. They also got to see Super Bowl championship rings from each year and take a picture with the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
DAV’s 2023 Disabled American Veteran of the Year, Kim Hubers, was gifted a trip to #SuperBowlLIX thanks to @JJettas2 and @USAA’s #SaluteToService program. Kim and her daughter got to meet Jefferson and will be enjoying the game this evening. Who are you rooting for tonight? pic.twitter.com/F8fbdkhzJN
— Disabled American Veterans (DAV) (@DAVHQ) February 9, 2025
“It’s honestly so amazing,” Aubrey explained. “It’s something that I obviously never thought I would even do. It’s just insane. I watch football all the time and I’ve gotten so into it. It’s crazy to see all this.”
“It’s been a whirlwind and everything’s been so busy and crazy here, but everything’s been enjoyable. There hasn’t been anything, besides the humidity, everything’s been great!” Kim said.
Outside of the football, it was good for Kim to see a city she had once been deployed to with the Army National Guard after Hurrican Katrina. Aubrey listened to stories of her mom’s service throughout the trip with pride.
“It’s amazing to think about how so many years ago she was here and then to see how far they’ve come and recreated all these new businesses and all these new buildings and stuff. It’s awesome,” Aubrey said.
SSG Hubers saw New Orleans at one of its worst moments. Now a veteran and mom of four, Hubers saw a city celebrating one of the biggest events of the year, finding the healing her heart longed for.
“I feel really proud to be able to say I have a part in this city,” Kim said with a smile. “I’m really proud of my service and I’m really proud of that. It feels really good to be here and see people in the streets celebrating, to see people are dancing and they’re singing and that’s something I didn’t get to experience twenty years ago. It’s really cool.”
The mother-daughter duo tailgated and watched the big game. Despite being big fans of the league, Super Bowl LIX was actually their first-ever NFL game they attended.
“There’s no going up from here,” joked Kim.
They will return to South Dakota on Monday and bring countless stories with them.