COLUMN: Ole Miss has been well-represented in the history of the Super Bowl

As we await the match between Kansas City and San Francisco for the LVIII (58th) Super Bowl, it got me to thinking – a dangerous activity with the size of this brain – about how many Ole Miss Rebels have played in a Super Bowl and, more importantly, how many have champion’s rings as winners of football most prestigious game.

Thanks to the Ole Miss Sports Information Department, that information is right at our fingertips in the media guide.

The answers – drum roll please – are 36 and 19. That’s 36 times a Rebel has played in a Super Bowl and 19 times a Rebel has been on the winning team of a Super Bowl. Out of 57 previous Super Bowl games, that’s a fairly large percentage of participation for one school, one would imagine.

So here are a few interesting facts.

Which Rebel has played in the most Super Bowls? That would be former Rebel running back Brandon Bolden, who has played in three Super Bowls with the New England Patriots – 49, 51 and 52. The Pats won the first two Bolden, who was a situational back and on all special teams, played on and lost his final appearance in 52.

Which Rebels have played in more than one Super Bowl? Bolden, of course, and then four more Rebels have participated in multiple Super Bowls. Tight end Allen Brown played in the first two Super Bowls for Green Bay and ended with a 2-0 record in the big show. Defensive tackle Andre Townsend played in Super Bowls 22 and 24 with Denver, but they lost both title matches. Wide receiver Willie Green played in Super Bowls 32 and 33 and went 2-0 with the Denver Broncos. Linebacker Nate Wayne played in the 33 Super Bowl with a winner in Denver and played in Super Bowl 39 with Philadelphia in a loss. Quarterback Eli Manning led the New York Giants to Super Bowl victories in 42 and 46, both against the New England Patriots. OL Michael Oher got a win with Baltimore in 47 and a loss with Carolina in 50.

Do any former Ole Miss players have Super Bowl Most Valuable Player trophies? Only one – Manning has two Super Bowl MVPs.

Who has winner’s rings besides the Rebs already mentioned? Linebacker Larry Grantham won a ring in Super Bowl 3 with Joe Namath and the New York Jets. Defensive tackle Jim Dunaway got an ornament for his finger with a win in Super Bowl 7 with the Miami Dolphins. Running back Paul Hofer and punter Jim Miller both got rings for being on the winning San Fran 49ers team in Super Bowl 16.

Defensive back Barry Wilburn won a ring in Super Bowl 22 with the then Washington Redskins. Tight end Wesley Walls won a ring in Super Bowl 24 with San Fransisco. Defensive back Alundis Brice brought home a ring for Dallas in Super Bowl 30. Wayne got his lone ring with Denver in 33. Offensive lineman Michael Oher captured a Super Bowl ring in 47 with Baltimore, Defensive tackle Woodrow Hamilton in 51 with the Patriots and Defensive end Breeland Speaks with Kansas City in 54.

Who were the Rebels who played in a Super Bowl and didn’t win a ring?

Quarterback Norris Weese (Denver, 12), Townsend (Denver, 22 & 24), tight end Kris Mangum (Carolina, 38), offensive guard Tutan Reyes (Carolina, 38), defensive end Derrick Burgess (Philly, 39), Wayne (Philly, 39), center Chris Spencer (Seattle, 40), offensive lineman Terrence Metcalf (Chicago, 41), wide receiver Mike Wallace (Pittsburgh, 45), running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis (New England, 46), linebacker Patrick Willis (San Fran, 47), defensive tackle D.J. Jones (San Fran, 54), corner back Mike Hilton (Cincinnati, 56) and wide receiver A.J. Brown (Philly, 57).

As you can readily see, Ole Miss has been well-represented in the Super Bowl.

And 19 times, a Rebel has brought home a Super Bowl ring!

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