FERNDALE, Wash. -- It's a slogan for an entire town: "It's a matter of pride."
You see it on Main Street and all over the local high school.
"It's been ingrained in our program and our community," said Jamie Plenkovich, Ferndale High School head football coach.
He sits in the stands of the school's venerable football field, which he describes as "a throwback." It's a decades old facility, complete with cracking paint and a lumpy grass field.
But the historic nature is something that, again, brings pride.
"When our kids go out on the football field, it's the greatest field, it's got the greatest fans, it's just that kind of place," said Vic Randall, who retired after coaching the Golden Eagles for 26 years. "We take it seriously."
"It" is -- of course -- football. It's been a main export in these parts for years, along with oil and aluminum.
Former first round pick Jake Locker, 10-year NFL veteran Michael Koenen, and Philadelphia Eagle Head Coach Doug Pederson all went to Ferndale High School.
Two of the Golden Eagles have returned to the roost and are now using that NFL money to plant new seeds in town.
"This is home, this is where the heart is, and we love it here," said Koenen, who at one point was the highest paid punter in the NFL.
He and Locker own the "Locker Room" -- a full scale gym with child care. They have 33 employees and 2,000 members, which is close to 20 percent of the town's population.
Koenen said he feels like he's giving back to the town which helped him fulfill his professional football dreams.
"I would like other kids attain those dreams through working hard, and giving back, and to see regular people achieve their dreams," he said.
"It's awesome -- how they're giving back to the community in a really awesome way, reaching out and helping a lot of people through fitness," said Dane Thorpe, who is the General Manager of the Locker Room. "They're not all about the money like some people are."
Their old coaches say it's just another example of the pride that many people feel here.
They'll watch the Super Bowl on Sunday and they cheer the Seahawks on as well. But if Philadelphia plays Seattle, Randall said his pride will take over.
"(I'd) enjoy the game, but I'll be rooting for Doug," he said.
