Kent State's list of former football player appearances at the Super Bowl will increase to 24 on Sunday as James Harrison and Julian Edelman represent the New England Patriots in Minneapolis. A new list will also begin when former Golden Flash Gene Steratore serves as referee at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Sunday will mark the fourth time both Harrison and Edelman will be on the sidelines of the world's largest stage. Even at age 39, Harrison made a major impact in the AFC Championship Game with three tackles and key quarterback pressures late in the game.
In his 15th season as an NFL official, Steratore will lead a seven-person on-field crew Sunday. He has officiated 11 career playoff games and earned his first Super Bowl assignment by having the highest rating in the NFL's evaluation system.
Edelman has made major contributions in each of New England's last two Super Bowl wins, including one of the greatest catches in the game's history last February. However, the former Kent State quarterback will be sidelined with an injury.
The Flashes will also be represented for the fourth time by Josh Boyer, New England's cornerbacks coach. Boyer's coaching beginnings go back to Kent State, where he served as a graduate assistant in 2002 and 2003 under Dean Pees. Former KSU coaches will be represented on a Super Bowl staff for the 13th time, dating back to Don McCafferty as offensive coordinator of the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III and the winning head coach in Super Bowl V.
Don Nottingham was the first former player to make an appearance in Super Bowl VIII. Eighteen of the Flashes' 24 player appearances have come in the last 20 years.
Former Kent State players to play in the Super Bowl:
|
Player
|
Years at Kent State
|
Super Bowl(s)
|
Team
|
|
Josh Kline
|
2008-12
|
XLIX
|
New England Patriots
|
|
Julian Edelman
|
2006-08
|
XLVI, XLIX, LI, LII
|
New England Patriots
|
|
James Harrison
|
1999-2001
|
XL, XLIII, XLV, LII
|
Steelers/ Patriots
|
|
Usama Young
|
2003-06
|
XLIV
|
New Orleans Saints
|
|
Danny Muir
|
2003-06
|
XLIV
|
Indianapolis Colts
|
|
Ken Walter
|
1992-94
|
XXXVI, XXXVIII
|
New England Patriots
|
|
Eugene Baker
|
1995-98
|
XXXVIII
|
Carolina Panthers
|
|
Dan Goodspeed
|
1998-99
|
XXXVII
|
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
|
|
Jason Gavadza
|
1996-99
|
XXXV
|
Baltimore Ravens
|
|
O.J. Santiago
|
1994-96
|
XXXIII
|
Atlanta Falcons
|
|
Bob Hallen
|
1994-97
|
XXXIII
|
Atlanta Falcons
|
|
Mike McGruder
|
1980-83
|
XXXI
|
New England Patriots
|
|
Jack Lambert
|
1971-73
|
IX, X, XIII, XIV
|
Pittsburgh Steelers
|
|
Don Nottingham
|
1968-70
|
VIII
|
Miami Dolphins
|
Former Kent State players to coach in the Super Bowl:
|
Player
|
Years at Kent State
|
Super Bowl(s)
|
Team
|
|
John Matsko
|
1969-72
|
XXXIV, XXXVI, 50
|
Rams/Panthers
|
Former Kent State players to officiate Super Bowl:
|
Player
|
Years at Kent State
|
Super Bowl(s)
|
|
Gene Steratore
|
1981-82
|
LII
|
Former Kent State coaches to coach in the Super Bowl:
|
Coach
|
Years at Kent State
|
Super Bowl(s)
|
Team(s)
|
|
Josh Boyer
|
Grad Asst. (2002-2003)
|
XLVI, XLIX, LI, LII
|
New England Patriots
|
|
Dean Pees
|
Head (1998-2003)
|
XXXIX, XLII, XLVII
|
Patriots/Ravens
|
|
Eric Studesville
|
Def. Coor. (1995-96)
|
XLVIII, 50
|
Denver Broncos
|
|
Perry Fewell
|
Assistant (1988-91)
|
XLVI
|
New York Giants
|
|
Dom Capers
|
Grad Asst. (1972-74)
|
XLV
|
Green Bay Packers
|
|
Don McCafferty
|
Assistant (1948-58)
|
III, V
|
Baltimore Colts
|
