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Football: Kalil brothers to face off for first time in NFL game

Vikings offensive tackle Matt Kalil (75) stretches during a summer camp at the team's Winter Park training facility in Eden Prairie, Minn.
(Jim Mone / Associated Press)
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It’s going to be a special day for the Kalil family on Sunday in Minnesota.

Brothers Ryan, 28, and Matt, 24, former standout offensive linemen at Anaheim Servite and USC, will be opponents for the first time ever on the same field. Ryan is the starting center for the Carolina Panthers. Matt is the starting left tackle for the Minnesota Vikings.

Adding to the excitement is that their sister, Danielle, will sing the national anthem.

The brothers haven’t stayed quiet leading up to the battle.

“They always talk trash,” said their father, Frank, an asistant coach at Servite. “Ryan usually gets the best of Matt. He’s a three-year All-Pro and tells his brother, ‘You’ve only been All-Pro once.’”

Frank is set to take a Saturday morning flight to Minnesota with his wife, Cheryl. But don’t look for him to do any cheering.

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“If the Vikings score, I’m going to be cool about it. If the Panthers score, I’m going to be cool about it,” he said.

But he will cheer for his daughter.

“I’ll be jumping up and down,” he said.

His wife will wear a jersey that is half Panthers and half Vikings.

Eric.sondheimer@latimes.com

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