It was Saturday, December 15th, 1984. The Seattle Seahawks were hosting the Denver Broncos in a game that would decide the AFC West. I was taking my first breath on this earth at 4:55 PM that day, during that game. My mom’s delivery doctor, the renowned James A. Joki, M.D., was supposed to be at the game. However, when my entrance to the world was inevitable, he had to put his plans on hold.
Denver won the game 31-14 that day, and my disdain for John Elway and the Broncos was ingrained since birth. My Seahawks fandom has always been there. Just a few years after the Big 8 became the Big 12 with expansion, the Seahawks moved from the AFC West to the NFC West due to NFL expansion. The rest is history.
While it would have been fun to see a Seahawks and Broncos Super Bowl, we will get a Seahawks vs New England Patriots matchup for Super Bowl LX. The Seahawks had to get through division rivals, the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams, to get to the big game. Meanwhile, the Patriots managed to cut their way through the AFC playoffs, beating the Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans, and Broncos en route to their Super Bowl bid.
If your favorite team isn’t in the Super Bowl, sometimes it’s fun to root for players from those teams that went to your favorite college. Who are those former Big 12 players who may have the opportunity to play in the Super Bowl for either the Patriots or the Seahawks? Let’s take a look at a few players from each team.
Khyris Tonga, DT, BYU/New England Patriots
Tonga played for BYU before they were a member of the Big 12, but that doesn’t mean the Cougar fanbase won’t be cheering for him to have a great game for the Patriots. He’s had three tackles in each of the Patriots’ three playoff games, including a sack vs the Texans in the Divisional Round. The Patriots will need Tonga to step up and have a big game if they want to be Super Bowl champs.
Coby Bryant, Safety, Cincinnati/Seattle Seahawks
Bryant is having a fantastic season with the Seahawks. He had 67 total tackles and seven passes defended throughout the year, as well as four interceptions and one forced fumble. In the playoffs, Bryant has six total tackles thus far, including four solo tackles against the 49ers. If Bryant can help the Seahawks force a turnover via interception or forced fumble in a win, his name could go down in Bearcat and Seahawk lore forever. Bryant will become a free agent after the Super Bowl when the offseason begins.
Marcus Jones, Cornerback, Houston/New England Patriots
Jones has helped the Patriots’ defense dominate through the AFC playoffs, and he had a great season for New England. He finished the season with 65 total tackles, 11 passes defended, and two interceptions. Jones has an impressive 14 tackles thus far in the playoffs, and he had one interception against the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round. Jones will have his hands full with a talented wide receiver group across from him, including Jaxson Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp, who continue to play at a high level for the Seahawks.
Jones also excels as a return specialist. He has two punt returns for touchdowns this season, including an electric 94-yard punt return for a touchdown. If Jones can give them a spark on special teams, as well as playing an integral role in the Patriots’ secondary, he could give New England a shot to hold up the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the game.
Josh Jones, Houston / Bryce Cabeldue, Kansas / Logan Brown, Kansas / Offensive Line, Seahawks
The Seahawks have several former Big 12 players in their offensive line arsenal. Josh Jones, a former Houston Cougar, is Seattle’s backup left tackle, but can play guard or tackle for the Seahawks. He likely won’t play unless there is an injury ahead of him, but he will be ready to go regardless.
Bryce Cabeldue, a former Kansas Jayhawk, was put on IR just before the NFC Championship. He appeared in eight games as a reserve guard and special teams player. Logan Brown, also a former Jayhawk offensive lineman, was picked up midseason via practice squad. While the former Jayhawks won’t make an immediate Super Bowl impact, they made their mark on the team throughout the season.
Everyone loves watching the Super Bowl, and finding personal connections to each team can help enhance the viewing experience. Be on the lookout for some of these former Big 12 players as Super Bowl LX gets underway at 5:30 PM CST on Sunday, February 8th.
