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Five players in this year's (2008) Super Bowl XLII alone are from USC, reinforcing an old adage that one of the best ways to win a Super Bowl is to have a Trojan on your team. There have been 92 in all Super Bowls combined. 11 are in the Hall of Fame, a record there, too.
For the winning NY Giants, it was rookie Steve Smith. For the 18-1 New England Patriots season they had Junior Seau, Tom Malone, Matt Cassel and another rookie, Oscar Lua -- showing just how NFL-ready Pete Carroll makes his players.
From Jeffrey Jolson-Colburn, SC class of 1981
Here's a USC Trojan paper USC Rips It article:
= Trojans in the NFL = With its outstanding football heritage, it's no surprise that USC usually has more players in the pros than any school.
At the start of training camp this summer, there were 41 ex-Trojans on National Football League rosters, including 7 rookies. In fact, USC players were on the rosters of 21 of the NFL's 32 teams. Most of the Trojans were defensive backs, offensive linemen, wide receivers or running backs (5 each).
In 2006, there were 26 Trojans on opening day NFL rosters; only 11 universities had more players (since records were made available, USC has been No. 1 in 17 of the last 30 years).
Overall, USC has produced 436 NFL draft picks (plus 28 by the AFL before it merged with the NFL) and 408 players who since 1920 played in the NFL (or its sister leagues, the AFL or All-America Football Conference).
USC has had three of the most highly drafted classes in College Football history. The 1953 class (following the 1952 season) had 15 players drafted while both the 1975 and 1977 classes had 14 players selected. USC has had more first round NFL draft picks (67) than any school (Ohio State is next with 63). USC had more players selected in the 2006 draft (11) than any school. USC had the most picks of any school in the 1990 NFL draft, with 10. USC's 12 first round picks in the 1990s tied for third most in the nation with Tennessee (behind Ohio State's 15 and Florida State's 13); 8 of those Trojan first rounders were selected in the Top 10. In the decade of the 1980s, Troy had more first round picks than any school (16). USC's 5 first round picks in the 1968 draft was an NFL record that lasted 36 years. USC is tied with Notre Dame for most players (5) selected as the top pick of the NFL draft (Ron Yary in 1968, O.J. Simpson in 1969, Ricky Bell in 1977, Keyshawn Johnson in 1996 and Carson Palmer in 2003). USC is the only school to have the No. 1 pick for 2 consecutive years (Yary and Simpson).
At least 1 Trojan has appeared in all but 3 of the 41 Super Bowls (there have been 92 USC representatives overall). Two Trojans (Lynn Swann in 1976 and Marcus Allen in 1984) have been the Super Bowl MVP. In 1977, 9 USC alums played in the Super Bowl. And Trojans have been selected to play in the Pro Bowl 201 times.
Eleven former USC players (more than any other school) and 3 ex-assistant coaches are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Anthony Munoz and Ronnie Lott were selected on the NFL's All-Time Team in August 2000, as chosen by the 36 Pro Football Hall of Fame voters.
A December 1999 story in The Sporting News listed 4 Trojans among the 100 Greatest Pro Football Players: Anthony Munoz (17th), Ronnie Lott (23rd), O.J. Simpson (26th) and Marcus Allen (72nd).
Anthony Munoz was picked among the NFL's Top 10 players of the 20th century by SPORT in 1999.
In December 1999, the Dick Butkus Football Network named a pair of ex-Trojans on its NFL All-Century First Team: Anthony Munoz and Ronnie Lott.
A January 1999 article in ESPN Magazine says that "one of the best ways to win a Super Bowl is to (have a USC player on the team). The alma mater most often represented on winning teams is USC (45 players). Lagging behind: Notre Dame (38) and Penn State (35)."
A Dec. 13, 1999 article in the San Diego Union-Tribune, which examined Pro Bowl selections since 1950 to determine the schools that have supplied the most pro players at various positions, found that USC had the most Pro Bowl selections (162, more than Notre Dame's 135 and Ohio State's 122) and produced more Pro Bowl running backs and safeties than anyone.
A May 1999 SPORT magazine article pointed out that USC sent more players to the Pro Bowl in the 1990s (14) than any other school. "The most measurable sign of a player's success--and thus his pedigree--comes in the form of the NFL's highest annual honor: the Pro Bowl. It's not enough to make it to the league, you've gotta make it in the league." In the article, then-New York Jets Pro Bowl wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson, the former USC All-American, said: "USC is a football factory. Every kid in L.A. grows up wanting to play there, and the coaches know how to translate that into elite athletes."
In a Dec. 1994 College Sports magazine ranking of the schools which have been the top sources over the years of football talent by position (on a combined college and NFL level), USC was listed first at running backs, offensive linemen and defensive backs, and third at linebackers.
In a 1985 Sports Illustrated poll of NFL player personnel directors, USC was ranked first overall among all schools in preparing college players for the pros. By position, USC received top marks for running backs, offensive linemen and tight ends. USC Players in the NFL in 2007:
Arizona Cardinals * Matt Leinart, QB * Taitusi Lutui, G * Justin Wyatt, CB
Carolina Panthers * Keary Colbert, WR * *Dwayne Jarrett, WR * *Ryan Kalil, C
Cincinnati Bengals * Gregg Guenther, TE * Carson Palmer, QB * Frostee Rucker, DE
Cleveland Browns * Fred Matua, G * Willie McGinest, LB
Denver Broncos * Jacob Rogers, T
Detroit Lions * Shaun Cody, DT
Green Bay Packers * *Ryan Powdrell, FB
Houston Texans * John Walker,CB
Indianapolis Colts * Scott Ware, S
Minnesota Vikings * Norm Katnik, C * Kenechi Udeze, DE
New England Patriots * Matt Cassel, QB * *Oscar Lua, LB * Tom Malone, P * Junior Seau, LB
New Orleans Saints * Reggis Bush, RB * Billy Miller, TE
New York Giants * *Steve Smith, WR
Oakland Raiders * Darnell Bing, LB * William Buchanon, WR * Justin Fargas, RB * *Chris McFoy, WR * Kris Richard, DB * Mike Williams, WR
Philadelphia Eagles * Winston Justice, T * Mike Patterson, DT * LaJuan Ramsey, DT
Pittsburgh Steelers * Troy Polamalu, S
St. Louis Rams * Dominique Byrd, TE
Seattle Seahawks * David Kirtman, FB * Lofa Tatupu, MLB
Tampa Bay Buccaneers * Brian Kelly, CB
Tennessee Titans * LenDale White, RB
Washington Redskins * *Dallas Sartz, LB
*2007 Rookie
Through Super Bowl XLIII:
1) WR Stephen Baker, New York Giants - caught 2 passes for 31 yards and 1 TD in Super Bowl XXV.
2) WR Bernard Berrian, Chicago Bears - caught 4 passes for 38 yards in Super Bowl XLI.
3) G Logan Mankins, New England Patriots - starting left guard in Super Bowl XLII.
4) FB Lorenzo Neal, Tennessee Titans - reserve in Super Bowl XXXIV. Did not get any carries or pass receptions.
5) RB Michael Pittman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - had 29 rushes for 124 yards in Super Bowl XXXVII.
6) QB Trent Dilfer, Baltimore Ravens - threw for 153 yards, 1 TD and 0 Int's against the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV.
None. ---- Through Super Bowl XLIII, no USC QB has started a Super Bowl and won ... no USC QB has started a Super Bowl and lost, either. The only USC QB with a Super Bowl ring is Rob Johnson who was the backup QB to Brad Johnson of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl XXXVII. He did not play in the game.
There have been 44 USC Alumni who have won Super Bowl rings. They are:
Super Bowl XLVII, 2012 Baltimore Ravens
None
Super Bowl XLVI, 2011 New York Giants
None
Super Bowl XLV, 2010 Green Bay Packers
LOLB Clay Matthews USC
Super Bowl XLIV, 2009 New Orleans Saints
RDT Sedrick Ellis USC
RB/PR Reggie Bush USC
Super Bowl XLIII, 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers
SS Troy Polamalu USC
Super Bowl XLII, 2007 New York Giants
WR Steve Smith USC
DT Manuel Wright USC
Super Bowl XLI, 2006 Indianapolis Colts
LG Dylan Gandy Texas Tech
Super Bowl XL, 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers
SS Troy Polamalu USC
Super Bowl XXXIX, 2004 New England Patriots
LOLB Willie McGinest USC
Super Bowl XXXVIII, 2003 New England Patriots
LOLB Willie McGinest USC
Super Bowl XXXVII, 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
LCB Brian Kelly USC
QB Rob Johnson USC
WR Keyshawn Johnson USC
DB David Gibson USC
Super Bowl XXXVI, 2001 New England Patriots
LOLB Willie McGinest USC
Super Bowl XXXV, 2000 Baltimore Ravens
None
Super Bowl XXXIV, 1999 St. Louis Rams
None
Super Bowl XXXIII, 1998 Denver Broncos
None
Super Bowl XXXII, 1997 Denver Broncos
None
Super Bowl XXXI, 1996 Green Bay Packers
RLB Brian M. Williams USC
OT Ken Ruettgers USC
LT John Michels USC
LB Lamont Hollinquest USC
Super Bowl XXX, 1995 Dallas Cowboys
None
Super Bowl XXIX, 1994 San Francisco 49ers
SS Tim McDonald USC
RG Derrick Deese USC
Super Bowl XXVIII, 1993 Dallas Cowboys
TE Scott Galbraith USC
Super Bowl XXVII, 1992 Dallas Cowboys
None
Super Bowl XXVI, 1991 Washington Redskins
RB Ricky Ervins USC
Super Bowl XXV, 1990 New York Giants
LB Larry McGrew USC
Super Bowl XXIV, 1989 San Francisco 49ers
SS Ronnie Lott USC
OG Jeff Bregel USC
Super Bowl XXIII, 1988 San Francisco 49ers
SS Ronnie Lott USC
OG Jeff Bregel USC
LILB Riki Ellison USC
Super Bowl XXII, 1987 Washington Redskins
None
Super Bowl XXI, 1986 New York Giants
None
Super Bowl XX, 1985 Chicago Bears
RT Keith Van Horne USC
Super Bowl XIX, 1984 San Francisco 49ers
SS Ronnie Lott USC
LILB Riki Ellison USC
Super Bowl XVIII, 1983 Los Angeles Raiders
RB Marcus Allen USC
ROLB Rod Martin USC
C/G Don Mosebar USC
Super Bowl XVII, 1982 Washington Redskins
None
Super Bowl XVI, 1981 San Francisco 49ers
SS Ronnie Lott USC
TE Charlie Young USC
Super Bowl XV, 1980 Oakland Raiders
ROLB Rod Martin USC
WR Bob Chandler USC
LB Mario Celotto USC
Super Bowl XIV, 1979 Pittsburgh Steelers
WR Lynn Swann USC
G/T Gerry Mullins USC
Super Bowl XIII, 1978 Pittsburgh Steelers
WR Lynn Swann USC
RG Gerry Mullins USC
Super Bowl XII, 1977 Dallas Cowboys
None
Super Bowl XI, 1976 Oakland Raiders
RT John Vella USC
LCB Skip Thomas USC
QB Mike Rae USC
DB Charlie Phillips USC
RB Manfred Moore USC
LILB Willie Hall USC
RB Clarence Davis USC
Super Bowl X, 1975 Pittsburgh Steelers
WR Lynn Swann USC
RG Gerry Mullins USC
Super Bowl IX, 1974 Pittsburgh Steelers
WR Lynn Swann USC
RG Gerry Mullins USC
Super Bowl VIII, 1973 Miami Dolphins
None
Super Bowl VII,1972 Miami Dolphins
None
Super Bowl VI, 1971 Dallas Cowboys
None
Super Bowl V, 1970 Baltimore Colts
LB Ray May USC
Super Bowl IV, 1969 Kansas City Chiefs
HB Mike Garrett USC
Super Bowl III, 1968 New York Jets
None
Super Bowl II, 1967 Green Bay Packers
PR Willie Wood USC
Ben Wilson USC
Super Bowl I, 1966 Green Bay Packers
PR Willie Wood USC
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
How many former LSU players played in the super bowl?
6
How many former Kansas State football player have played in a super bowl?
15 former K-State players have been to super bowls, with 8 of them on the winning team.
What college has the most former players to play in a super bowl?
nd
How many former Florida State University players have won a super bowl?
28
Which players in Super Bowl 46 have played in most Super Bowl games?
Prior, Tom Brady and Matt Light had played in 4 super bowls.
How many Ohio state players have played in the Super Bowl?
5
What players have played in super bowl and have won hiesman?
bart starr
How many Arizona Cardinals players have played in a Super Bowl?
5
Does nfl players who were picked for pro bowl but not participate because they are in the Super Bowl still get paid for pro bowl?
Now that the Pro Bowl is played the week between the Conference Championship games and the Super Bowl, players on Super Bowl teams who make the Pro Bowl are considered Pro Bowlers and they do get paid.
What former Chicago bear tight end on the super bowl VI winning cowboy team?
What former Bear played tight end on the Super Bowl VI winning Cowboy team?
If the Pro Bowl is before the Super Bowl will that not cause potential injuries for the Super Bowl players?
Pro Bowl players on the two Super Bowl teams will not participate in the Pro Bowl.
Who were Super Bowl XX players?
Super Bowl XXThe Chicago Bears beat the New England Patriots 46 - 10 in Super Bowl XX played on January 26, 1986.
