Waukee boy to interview Super Bowl stars after winning national 'kid reporter' contest
Philip JoensA Waukee boy is going to help cover the Super Bowl.
Miles Waage, 11, a fifth grader at Radiant Elementary School, will be interviewing stars like Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce and Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts as part of his assignment as the Panini America Super Bowl "kid reporter" for 2023.
Miles won the role after besting nine other finalists chosen from among more than 135,000 entrants across America in a contest staged by the trading card company. Contest directors were impressed by his interviewing skills, said stepmom Sarah Waage.
She and Miles bonded this year when he got Panini cards for his birthday. She loves entering contests, so on a whim she entered Miles, a sports-obsessed Chiefs fan and football, baseball and basketball trading card collector.
Miles flew to Phoenix on Sunday and plans to attend several events there throughout the week. He may get a chance to meet Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins and will attend Super Bowl LVII with his dad, Nick, on Feb. 12, when the Chiefs play the Eagles.
His big interviews were to come Monday, Super Bowl Opening Night, formerly known as Super Bowl Media Day, Former quarterback Trent Dilfer, who won Super Bowl XXXV with the Baltimore Ravens in 2001, planned to accompany him at the Footprint Center in Phoenix as he interviewed athletes.
"We're busy the whole week," Miles said.
He said he loves playing wide receiver and tight end in Waukee Youth Football.
"I like when I get a touchdown and then everybody is cheering," he said. "I like that feeling a lot."
Though his current career ambition seems to be leaning toward becoming a pilot, he might also consider reporting. He attended a sports broadcasting camp in the summer.
"This could be a career for you Miles," his stepmom told him as he finished his phone interview with a Des Moines Register reporter.
Philip Joens covers retail, real estate and RAGBRAI for the Des Moines Register. He can be reached at 515-284-8184, pjoens@registermedia.com or on Twitter @Philip_Joens.