Greatest Canes Super Bowl Moments And Players

It rocks me to my core to say this, but in one week, football season will officially end when the Patriots and Rams go to war in Super Bowl LIII.

Through the first 52 Super Bowls, we’ve been lucky enough to witness some of the greatest players to suit up in NFL history. Even luckier for Miami Hurricanes fans, some of those greatest moments have been brought to us by former Canes. In fact, going into Super Bowl LIII, UM has produced the most NFL players ever to appear in the Super Bowl, with an incredible number of 117 former Hurricanes, and this year it’ll reach 122.

This season, five Canes will be heading to football’s biggest stage. For L.A. cornerback (played receiver at Miami) Sam Shields, and then for New England, Trent Harris, Braxton Berrios, Ufomba Kamalu and Phillip Dorsett.

The countdown to kickoff is well underway, so I decided to take a look back some of the most memorable moments, players and performances by Canes in Super Bowl history.

Reggie Wayne (Super Bowl XLI, XLIV):

This former standout at receiver for the Canes was apart of two Colts teams that made Super Bowl appearances. Oddly enough, both times Wayne played in the Super Bowl, they were in Miami. The first came in 2007 and Super Bowl 41, where Wayne caught just two passes from Peyton Manning, but one of them came on a 53-yard touchdown, helping Indy secure a 29-17 victory. In 2010, Wayne and the Colts returned once again. The future Hall of Famer hauled in five catches, but his team would fall short to the Saints.

Devin Hester (Super Bowl XLI):

Whether it was returning kicks or punts at the U or the Bears, Hester was a human highlight, and he showed up on the world’s biggest stage. Also in Miami, in the pouring rain, Hester delivered one of the most memorable moments in Super Bowl history, running back the opening kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown.

Ray Lewis (Super Bowl XXV, XLVII):

Perhaps the greatest middle linebacker in NFL history, Lewis first stepped onto the Super Bowl stage in 2001, leading one of the greatest defenses in league history. Lewis’ dominating performance in a 34-7 Ravens victory earned him MVP honors, only the second Hurricane ever to accomplish that feat. Lewis earned a second Lombardi Trophy in 2013 in the final game of his career.

Ottis Anderson (Super Bowl XXI, XXV):

This grueling running back scored a touchdown in Super Bowl 21, but it was his performance in 1991 in his second Super Bowl, that puts him on this list. As major underdogs to the high-power Bills, the Giants ran Anderson all night long. Anderson finished with 102 yards a touchdown in a 20-19 New York upset, and became the first Hurricane to win MVP honors.

Ted Hendricks (Super Bowl V, XI, XV, XVIII):

Perhaps Hendricks actual statistics in Super Bowls won’t blow you away, but here’s one stat for you, four-time Super Bowl champion. That being said, he blocked a field goal against the Eagles in Super Bowl 15, and was apart of defenses that allowed 13, 14, 10 and nine points on their way to titles.

Jim Kelly (Super Bowls XXV, XXVI, XXVII, XXVIII):

The only quarterback in NFL history to lead his team to four-consecutive Super Bowls, Machine Gun Kelly sadly came away with no rings (thanks Scott Norwood). Poor Jim, he does however rank in the top-10 in career Super Bowl history for passing yards and completions. Like c’mon Norwood, you could’ve given Kelly just that one ring.

Michael Irvin (Super Bowls XXVII, XXVIII, XXX):

The Playmaker. The man, the myth, the legend, 88. It’s possible that no other Hurricane performed better in the Super Bowl than this Hall of Famer. In the three Super Bowls during his career, Irvin helped the Cowboys become a dynasty, and ranks in the top-10 in career Super Bowl history for both receiving yards and touchdowns.

Most notably, his play in Super Bowl 27, where he had six receptions, 114 yards and two touchdowns.

SPECIAL EDITION, Jimmy Johnson (XXVII, XXVIII):
No, he didn’t play a down in a Super Bowl, but darn-it, JJ is a two-time championship winning coach with the Cowboys. And let’s be honest, if he and Jerry Jones were able to get along, he’d have 10 rings by now. Johnson was able to take over a struggling Dallas franchise, then several years later the Cowboys won back-to-back Lombardi’s.

Honorable Mentions: Jeremy Shockey (Super Bowl XLIV):

Ed Reed (Super Bowl XLVII):

Frank Gore (Super Bowl XLVII):

Edgerrin James (Super Bowl XLIII):

Dan Morgan (Super Bowl XXXVIII):

I’m sure I missed several players and moments, but the U has the most players in Super Bowl history, you’re bound to miss some. Good-luck to all the former Hurricanes!

GO CANES!