Horns have 11-year Super streak
In 50 years of Super Bowls, the Texas Longhorns have had at least one representative on a roster 31 times. Their current streak of 11 years of having at least one player on a Super Bowl roster is the longest for Texas. The longest streak in history goes to Nebraska, which had its 22-year mark snapped this season. Texas is halfway there. This season Fozzy Whittaker will be the lone UT representative as he serves as a backup to Jonathan Stewart for the NFC champion Carolina Panthers. Here’s a look at Whittaker and a recap of how previous Longhorns performed in the Super Bowl during the streak.
2016 SUPER BOWL 50
Fozzy Whittaker, Panthers
running back: Whittaker ran the ball just 25 times for 108 yards and a touchdown this year. He also had 12 receptions for 64 yards and nine kickoff returns for 209 yards. The Super Bowl is known for featuring surprise performances from some of its participants. Will Whittaker become a household name by the end of the game?
2015 SUPER BOWL XLIX
Earl Thomas, Seahawks safety: Recently named the best Longhorn in the NFL by American-Statesman staff writer Kevin Lyttle, Thomas fell short of the big game this season. He’s already played in two Super Bowls. The Seahawks came up one slant route short of winning it all for the second year in a row in Super Bowl XLIX. Thomas had nine tackles but had to watch helplessly from the sideline as the offense turned the ball over on a potential winning drive with 20 seconds to play. 2013 SUPER BOWL XLVII
Justin Tucker, Ravens kicker: Tucker proved to be the difference with 10 points, going 4 for 4 on extra points and making both of his field-goal attempts in the Ravens’ 34-31 victory over the 49ers. Tucker’s 38-yard field goal with 4:19 remaining allowed the Ravens to hold on.
Chykie Brown, Ravens
cornerback: Brown got some playing time but didn’t register any statistics in the Super Bowl as a second-year player.
Tarell Brown, 49ers
cornerback: He had three tackles and forced a fumble by Ray Rice, which he recovered to set up a field goal, cutting the lead to 28-23 in the third quarter.
Leonard Davis, 49ers guard: Davis didn’t start but finally made the Super Bowl in the last season of his career after 12 years.
2012 SUPER BOWL XLVI
Aaron Ross, Giants
cornerback: Ross had three tackles as the Giants once again denied the Patriots 21-17. The Giants’ secondary held Tom Brady to 276 yards and forced an interception.
Kyle Hix, Patriots offensive
lineman: Hix signed with the Patriots as a rookie free agent and spent the entire season on injured
reserve.
2011 SUPER BOWL XLV
Casey Hampton, Steelers
defensive tackle: Hampton started and had a tackle, but his team failed to get him a third Super Bowl championship.
Jonathan Scott, Steelers
offensive tackle: Scott started the game at left tackle and protected Ben Roethlisberger well enough for him to throw for 263 yards and two touchdowns. The Steelers rushed for 126 yards and a touchdown.
Tony Hills, Steelers offensive
tackle: Hills got some playing time, though he didn’t start in the loss.
Jermichael Finley, Packers
tight end: He never made it to the game, injuring his right knee in Week 5, but his Packers won 31-25.
Limas Sweed, Steelers wide
receiver: Though on the roster, Sweed tore his Achilles tendon during minicamp and was put on injured reserve.
2010 SUPER BOWL XLIV
David Thomas, Saints tight
end: He had one catch for 9 yards in the Saints’ 31-17 win over Peyton Manning’s Colts for the first Super Bowl win for New Orleans. Thomas is in an exclusive club of players to win both a college national championship and a Super Bowl title. He started eight regular-season games and two playoff games that year. He had four catches for 41 yards in the postseason.
2009 SUPER BOWL XLIII
Casey Hampton, Steelers
defensive tackle: Hampton had two tackles in the Steelers’ thrilling 27-23 win over the Cardinals. It was Hampton’s second Super Bowl win in as many tries.
Tony Hills, Steelers offensive tackle: As a rookie, Hills didn’t see any action all season.
Limas Sweed, Steelers wide
receiver: Sweed played, but he failed to make a catch. It was his lone Super Bowl win.
Lyle Sendlein, Cardinals
center: He started the game and anchored the offensive line that allowed Kurt Warner to throw for 377 yards and three touchdowns despite the loss.
2008 SUPER BOWL XLII
Aaron Ross, Giants
cornerback: Ross started and had two tackles in the Giants’ 17-14 upset win over the previously undefeated Patriots. Ross finished the regular season with nine passes defended and three interceptions on the way to his first Super Bowl win.
David Thomas, Patriots tight end: He played in only two games that season because of a foot injury.
2007 SUPER BOWL XLI
Nathan Vasher, Bears
cornerback: Vasher had six tackles and three passes defended in the 29-17 loss. The Bears’ defense had been mauling opponents all year, but the Colts scored 16 consecutive points to take control of the game.
Cedric Benson, Bears running
back: Benson carried the ball just twice for minus-1 yard before he injured his knee in the first half and had to miss the rest of the game. 2006 SUPER BOWL XL
Casey Hampton, Steelers defensive tackle: Hampton came up big in his first trip to the Super Bowl, registering four tackles and a sack in the Steelers’ 21-10 win over the Seahawks. It was Hampton’s first of two Super Bowl championships.
Marcus Tubbs, Seahawks
defensive tackle: Though he started 11 games in the regular season, he was a reserve in the playoffs and managed two tackles in the loss.
D.D. Lewis, Seahawks
linebacker: Lewis started and made four tackles, but one he didn’t make was when Ben Roethlisberger scored on a rollout play.