A Des Moines couple divided by NFL loyalties is gearing up for a Super Bowl Sunday kickoff that could also mark the arrival of their first child.
DES MOINES, Wash. — For Isabella and Brady Crane, the stakes on Super Bowl Sunday go far beyond football.
Isabella is a devoted Seattle Seahawks fan. Her husband, Brady, has been a lifelong supporter of the New England Patriots. But this year, the couple’s rivalry takes on new meaning — their first baby is due on Super Bowl Sunday.
“Football means family for us,” Isabella said. “It just seemed that the stars aligned.”
The Cranes’ love story — and friendly football rivalry — has played out over years of cheering on their teams. Isabella proudly wears her Seahawks blue and green. Brady admits he’s never been shy about showing his Patriots pride.
“I always had Patriots gear on — maybe a little bit obnoxious about it,” he said with a laugh.
Last summer, the couple held a memorable gender reveal celebration on the 50-yard line at Central Washington University, where they both worked at the time. The moment, caught on video, revealed a tiny Seahawks onesie inside a box — signaling that their first child would be a girl. The couple said they had planned for a Patriots outfit to represent a boy.
Brady said his first reaction mixed surprise and pure excitement.
“I thought, ‘Aw man, it’s Seahawks,’ but then immediately I pictured our baby girl wearing that,” he said. “Seeing Isabella’s face — just how excited she was — that was awesome.”
As they prepare for both kickoff and delivery day, the couple jokes about which team’s colors will look best on their newborn. Brady says Patriots red, white, and blue “comes with a lot of rings,” but Isabella insists Seahawks green will bring out their daughter’s eyes.
Whichever day their daughter decides to arrive, the Cranes agree the biggest win of all will be a healthy baby — no matter which team she eventually roots for.
“A healthy baby girl is all we can ask for,” Isabella said. “That’s the biggest win of all.”