South Carolina Football’s Top Super Bowl Performances
Tomorrow’s Super Bowl LVII will feature the Kansas City Chiefs looking for their third Super Bowl victory and the Philadelphia Eagles searching for just their second win in the Big Game. Each team’s roster contains dozens of recognizable names from the collegiate ranks. In honor of these former college football superstars playing in tomorrow’s game, let’s take a look at the greatest Super Bowl performances from South Carolina football alums.
Honorable Mentions
Dan Reeves, Dallas Cowboys RB/WR: A former quarterback at the University of South Carolina, Dan Reeves played both running back and receiver for America’s Team in Super Bowl V against the Colts. Reeves notched five catches for the Cowboys, totaling 46 yards in the loss. His Cowboys won the following year in Super Bowl VI, but Reeves saw limited action. He won another Super Bowl as an assistant with the Cowboys and lost four more as the head coach of the Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons.
Bobby Bryant, Minnesota Vikings CB: The longest-tenured NFL player to play his collegiate career at the University of South Carolina, Bryant was an All-Pro and voted as one of the top-50 Minnesota Vikings ever. In Super Bowl XI against the Oakland Raiders, Bryant led the Purple People Eater secondary with seven tackles. He played in all four of the Vikings’ Super Bowl appearances.
Terry Cousin, Carolina Panthers CB: One of the best-tackling cornerbacks to ever play at South Carolina, Cousin displayed this skill in Super Bowl XXXVIII. In his Panthers’ loss to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, Cousin logged seven tackles and added two pass breakups while defending shifty receivers Deion Branch and Troy Brown.
Robert Brooks, Green Bay Packers WR: A dynamic receiver during his time as a Gamecock and as a Packer, Brooks caught three passes in Super Bowl XXXII. In the loss to the Broncos, Brooks was also credited by Dorsey Levins (RB) and Arturo Freeman (WR) for his excellent work as a perimeter blocker as the duo combined for 272 total yards. Brooks also won a ring the previous season but did not play in Super Bowl XXXI due to injury.
Chris Culliver, San Fransisco 49ers DB: Culliver spent time as a receiver and defensive back in college but was a full-time defensive back in the NFL. In the 49ers’ Super Bowl XLVII loss to the Ravens, he picked up four tackles, a tackle for loss, and a pass breakup. Culliver struggled in coverage during the game but played well against the run.
South Carolina Football’s Top Super Bowl Performances, #5
Alshon Jeffery, Philadelphia Eagles WR: In Super Bowl LII, Alshon Jeffery was part of one of the best passing offensive performances in Super Bowl history. Jeffery had an excellent first half in which he accumulated all of his stats. One of the best Carolina receivers ever, Jeffery caught three balls, all in critical moments. His seventy-three yards led the team until the end of the fourth quarter, and he caught his team’s first of four receiving touchdowns. Former Gamecock teammate Stephon Gilmore had to be switched onto Jeffery to stop the bleeding, opening things up for the other Eagles’ receivers.
South Carolina Football’s Top Super Bowl Performances, #4
Deebo Samuel, San Fransisco 49ers WR/RB: The versatile Samuel played all over the field for the Gamecocks, and somehow his role expanded to become even larger in the NFL. In Super Bowl LIV, a rookie Deebo set a Super Bowl record for most rushing yards by a wide receiver (53 yards, five shy of the team lead) and totaled 92 yards on 8 touches. He was also often used as a very-effective decoy, drawing the defenders’ eyes with pre-snap motion. In an offensively-challenged loss to the Chiefs, Samuel would have been in the MVP discussion had the 49ers been victorious.
South Carolina Football’s Top Super Bowl Performances, #3
Ernest Jones, Los Angeles Rams LB: Even as a young player, Ernest Jones was everywhere for the Rams’ defense in Super Bowl LVI. Jones racked up seven total tackles (one on an important stand at the goal line), two tackles for loss, and a sack of Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow. He led the team in solo tackles, tackles for loss, and added a pass breakup to his ledger. Jones was one of the players most considered for MVP of the game but lost out to Cooper Kupp’s impressive performance.
South Carolina Football’s Top Super Bowl Performances, #2
Stephon Gilmore, New England Patriots CB: Stephon Gilmore was a dominant force for Bill Belichick’s defense in Super Bowl LIII. He was second on the team with five tackles, led both teams with three passes broken up, and he sealed the game with an interception in the red zone with under five minutes to go in the game. Gilmore was nearly selected as the game’s MVP, but wide receiver Julien Edelman put together an all-time great performance for the New England offense. This was not Gilmore’s only Super Bowl as he had a strong game the previous season.
South Carolina Football’s Top Super Bowl Performances, #1
Brad Edwards, Washington Redskins FS: Brad Edwards was robbed of the MVP trophy for his impressive play in Super Bowl XXVI. Finishing runner-up to quarterback (duh) Mark Rypien, Edwards put together one of the best defensive exhibitions in Super Bowl history. In the Redskins’ win, Edwards was third on the team in tackles but broke up five passes intended for Bills’ receivers and picked off Hall of Famer Jim Kelly twice (and was a block away on each play from taking them both back for touchdowns).