Hekker, Rams headed to Super Bowl

Bothell’s Johnny Hekker is headed to the Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams.

The Bothell High graduate handled the snap and held the ball in place for kicker Greg Zuerlein for the game-winning 57-yard field goal in overtime on Sunday. The Rams beat the New Orleans Saints, 26-23, in the NFC championship game in New Orleans.

Earlier in the game, punter Hekker faked the kick and threw a 12-yard fourth-down pass to kickstart a scoring drive, which resulted in a field goal and cut the Saints’ lead to 13-3.

Hekker’s Twitter page reads: “I think we ain’t done yet!”

He wrote on his Instagram page: “Big time players make big time plays. Couldn’t be more proud of GZ and the way he has battled his whole career for these opportunities, and boooooy are we glad he’s our guy.”

The Rams will face the New England Patriots — who beat the Kansas City Chiefs, 37-31, in overtime in Sunday’s AFC championship game — in Super Bowl LIII on Feb. 3 in Atlanta.