Super Bowl Sunday, the grandest day in American Sports Culture.
The Super Bowl is watched and heard all across the world, as 171 million people watched Super Bowl LVII last year. This year’s Super Bowl, known as Super Bowl LVIII, matches up the Kansas City Chiefs vs. the San Francisco 49ers.
Through the years, Clemson has had its paws all over the NFL’s big game. See what I did there.
Tonight, Clemson will be represented by five former Tigers in Super Bowl LVIII. The Chiefs, the defending Super Bowl Champions, have former Clemson wide receivers Justyn Ross and Cornell Powell on their roster, while the 49ers have three in former Tigers Clelin Ferrell (DE), Austin Bryant (DE) and Ray-Ray McCloud (WR).
With former Clemson players being on both sides, it guarantees a sixth straight year a former Tiger will be a Super Bowl Champion – the longest such streak for Clemson in football’s biggest game.
And that brings me to the whole point of this column. How well do you know your Super Bowl trivia when it comes to your Clemson Tigers?
I am assuming, if you have read this far, you are indeed a Clemson fan. By the way, the answer key is at the end, so don’t cheat.
Let’s get started.
- Prior to 2023, what was the longest stretch a former Tiger helped win a Lombardi Trophy for their NFL team?
Do you need a hint? The Denver Broncos won their first two Super Bowls during this stretch.
Before Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence came around, Steve Fuller was considered the standard when it came to quarterback play at Clemson. Fuller, of course, played a big role in helping the Chicago Bears win Super Bowl XX back in 1985. And that leads us to question No. 2.
- Fuller is not the only former Clemson quarterback to help his team win a Super Bowl. Can you name the other?
Here is a hint. He owns two Super Bowl rings, and he was the first former Tiger to be a part of two Super Bowl Champions.
In 1978 and ’79, Bennie Cunningham—considered by many to be the greatest tight end in the history of the ACC—helped the Pittsburgh Steelers win Super Bowls XIII and XIV. In doing so, he became the first Clemson Tiger to win back-to-back Super Bowls.
Tonight, Powell and Ross can join this exclusive club after being on Kansas City’s Super Bowl Championship roster in 2022.
- Do you know which former Clemson stars have already joined Cunningham as back-to-back Super Bowl Champions?
Through the years, Clemson has had some great placekickers. Some, like David Treadwell and Chris Gardocki, went on to have good and long careers in the NFL. Only three former Clemson kickers have won a Super Bowl.
- Who was the first former Clemson kicker to win a Super Bowl and what team did he kick for?
In Super Bowl LV, Bradley Pinion played a big part in Tampa Bay’s run to winning its second World Championship. In the process, he became the second former Clemson punter to win a Super Bowl.
- Can you name the first former Clemson punter to win a Super Bowl, who he played for and what Super Bowl did he play in?
Over the years, Clemson has had several skill players play in the Super Bowl. In all, five former Clemson receivers have won a Super Bowl, McCloud has a chance to make it six tonight. Four tight ends have represented Clemson on Super Bowl Championship teams.
- Did you know, only two former Clemson running backs have won a Super Bowl? Can you name both running backs?
In 1981, the 49ers won their first World Championship by beating the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XVI. Former Clemson great Jim Stuckey played a big part on San Francisco’s defensive front. However, he was not the only Clemson Tiger that played on the 49ers’ defensive line.
- Can you name the other former Clemson player that played on San Francisco’s defensive line in 1981?
In Super Bowl LVI, former Clemson wideout Tee Higgins became the first former Tiger to score two touchdowns in a Super Bowl. Unfortunately for Higgins, he and the Bengals could not pull out the win.
- Can you name the other former Tiger who scored an offensive touchdown in a Super Bowl and what Super Bowl was it?
As I mentioned above, Clemson has had four tight ends win a Super Bowl over the years.
- Who was the first former Clemson tight end to win a Super Bowl?
If you need a hint, he played a part in what is known as the greatest play in NFL History.
Jeff Bostic was the starting center for the Washington Redskins during their three Super Bowl wins. His three Super Bowl titles are the most for a former Tiger. However, Bostic also played in a fourth Super Bowl for Washington.
- What was the other Super Bowl Bostic played in?
Answer Key:
- 1996-2000 (seasons)
- Charlie Waters (Super Bowl VI and Super Bowl XII; played safety for the Dallas Cowboys)
- Terrence Flagler (Super Bowl XXIII and Super Bowl XIV)
Trevor Pryce (Super Bowl XXXII and Super Bowl XXXIII)
- Obed Ariri (Washington Redskins, Super Bowl XXII)
- Chris Gardocki (Pittsburgh Steelers, Super Bowl XL)
- Bill Mathis (Super Bowl III)
Terrence Flagler (Super Bowl XXIII and Super Bowl XXIV)
- Archie Reese
- William Perry (Super Bowl XX)
- John McMakin (Super Bowl IX)
- Super Bowl XVIII
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