Even for a Super Bowl champion, some experiences are simply on another level. That's the takeaway from Seattle Seahawks star DeMarcus Lawrence, who is attending the Masters for the first time this week. The five-time Pro Bowl linebacker, who grew up just 30 miles from Augusta National in Aiken, South Carolina, didn't hold back when comparing the iconic golf tournament to football's biggest stage.

"This is way better than the Super Bowl," Lawrence told The Augusta Chronicle from near the first fairway. "Way better. I’m not working (at the Masters)." For an elite athlete who just helped secure a Lombardi Trophy, that's a powerful statement about the unique allure of Augusta.

Despite his proximity and past invitations, Lawrence's schedule never aligned for a visit until now. "It just never worked out," he admitted. "Until today. I can’t believe I waited this long." His presence adds to the star-studded gallery at Augusta, a tournament known for attracting legends from across the sports world.

And with a significant salary increase on the horizon, Lawrence is well-equipped to fully embrace the Masters experience. If you spot him in the merchandise shop, know he's earned every bit of that iconic gear—after all, he played a key role in denying the Patriots another championship. For a competitor like Lawrence, the chance to finally be a patron at the tournament he grew up near clearly hits different.