It brought back great Winthrop sports memories to see John Hayes at Larsen Rink at the Mike Eruzione Center Saturday cheering on his nephew, senior hockey captain Billy Hayes, in the Vikings’ 6-1 win over Hudson.
John Hayes is simply one of the most successful athletes in WHS history. As a three-year Viking quarterback (two years as the starter), the Vikings were unbeaten for three consecutive years. John has two Super Bowl rings (1981 and 1983), throwing a touchdown pass to Steven Staffier in Winthrop’s 14-3 victory over Xaverian at Sullivan Stadium in Foxboro. John – along with Viking fans – still bemoans the fact that Winthrop was 10-0 in the 1982 football season, but was not invited to defend its state title because of the ratings system at that time.
John completed his career by helping Coach Pat McGee’s Viking track team win the 1984 Northeastern Conference championship. John is a two-time inductee in the WHS Hall of Fame for his football and track championships.
We saw John shopping for groceries this past weekend and John told us how proud he is of his nephew, Billy, and his leadership of the Vikings.
John Hayes’ last high school football game (Super Bowl) was at the New England Patriots’ home stadium in Foxboro. Billy Hayes’ last high school hockey game could be played on the Boston Bruins’ home ice at TD Garden if the Vikings were to keep rolling.
A tip of the cap to the Hayes family and all the excitement and glory that they have brought to the town of Winthrop.