ORLANDO, Fla. – Two-time Super Bowl champion Tommy Townsend is fresh off his big win in Las Vegas, but one local woman says the top NFL punter actually began his storied kicking career as a toddler in her backyard swimming pool.
Kennie Weiland knows Orlando’s Conway community better than most. For more than 30 years, she has taught generations of families life-saving swimming skills, including Kansas City Chiefs star punter, Tommy Townsend. Over the years, she’s taught hundreds of kids how to swim, but only one has become a Super Bowl champ.
“I like to joke and say that I was his first kicking coach because when I teach swimming, I say ‘Kick, kick, kick, kick,’” Weiland said.
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
It was a key message for success in the swimming pool, but also on the football field. She says watching her former student play in the Super Bowl gave her tremendous pride.
“My husband said I scream like a little teenager and every time he did well, I would scream and yell that I was proud of him,” Weiland said.
Weiland first met the Townsend family more than 20 years ago.
“I knew Tommy’s grandparents because they were neighbors and I think they must have heard that I taught swimming so they called and wanted Tommy to learn how to swim,” Weiland said.
Like many of Weiland’s students, the entire family has become lifelong friends. They recently gave her a gift with framed mementos from Townsend.
“So Christmas 2022, the Townsend family showed up and brought me the T-shirt that Tommy got when he graduated from swim lessons and it’s autographed,” Weiland said. “It says ‘Miss Kennie, thanks for teaching me how to kick.’ Tommy and I happened to be in an article in the Orlando Sentinel about how important it is to teach kids how to swim and I still had the article so I showed that to his parents and they had everything framed and there’s a picture of Tommy punting.”
Weiland says after his first Super Bowl win in 2023, Tommy showed up to Johnny’s Filling Station for a fundraiser for his alma mater, Orlando’s Boone High School. His parents personally invited her to the event.
“I went up (to Tommy) and I said, ‘Hi, I’m Miss Kennie,’ and he said, ‘Of course, I know you’re Miss Kennie,’ and he gave me a big hug,” Weiland said.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: