Webster native is 49ers' athletic trainer

Preparing for one of the biggest spectacles in sports in one of the most notorious cities in the nation, Nate Breske hasn't had time to worry about the accompanying glitz and glamor.

 The many distractions can wait until after today's Super Bowl.

 Breske, a Webster native and a Northern State University graduate, is an assistant athletic trainer for the San Francisco 49ers. His aim since arriving in New Orleans a week ago has been to have players as healthy as possible for today's game.

 "It's a business trip, and we're looking forward to taking care of business (today)," Breske said.

 San Francisco tackles the Baltimore Ravens for the National Football League championship. Super Bowl XLVII, in the Louisiana Superdome, kicks off at 5:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast on CBS.

 The Niners are trying to keep the week's schedule as normal as possible, Breske said. Tuesday was media day, but since, the team has kept a fairly routine schedule with meetings in the morning and practices in the afternoon on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, he said.

 One of Breske's main tasks is taping up players before practices and games. But there are more duties than simply that. And at all hours of the day.

 "We're always on call. It's a 24/7 job," said Breske, 35.

 Trainers also assess injuries. If a player is hurt during a game, the trainers evaluate the problem and decide whether it's safe for the player to go back into the game. Maybe a player will need more tape or a new brace, Breske said. If needed, trainers call doctors. The most important thing is to do what's best for the player, he said.

 "If they're not safe to go back on the field, they're not going back on no matter who they are," Breske said.

 He hopes that after the game ends today, there will be reason to celebrate and time to have some fun in New Orleans with others affiliated with the team and some family members who will be at the game.

 His father, Leon, and brothers, Matt and Jake are in town. Leon Breske led Webster High School to two state football championships and coached for more than 30 years, mostly in northeast South Dakota. Matt, 33, is a chiropractor in The Netherlands, and Jake, 26, helps coach the Webster football team.

 He said he's had time to visit with and go out to dinner with his family. But he's left exploring New Orleans to them this week.

 His wife, Tia, and three children are also in town for the game and have appreciated that work has had to be a top priority for Dad this week.

 "They've been part of this for the whole year, so they understand," Breske said.

 "This is the big show; there's nothing bigger than this, so I'm not about to get off track," he said, referring to all of the hoopla that surrounds the Super Bowl.

 Breske was able to procure tickets for his family through the 49ers.

 "The Breske boys will be there," Leon Breske said.

 Before he left for New Orleans Wednesday, Leon Breske said he had no idea what to expect from New Orleans, a city he's never visited. He said it will be a new experience — like bringing somebody from the Bayou to a South Dakota farm or his hometown of Grenville, population 50 or so.

 He said he doesn't care about the pregame and halftime shows, only the game. And he's not sure where he'll be sitting in the Superdome.