The biggest day in North American sports is here with the National Football League (NFL) celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Super Bowl.
With Super Bowl Sunday upon us, let’s do a breakdown of some historical connections between the big game and HBCUs by the numbers.
40: Super Bowl-winning teams with HBCU starters
Of the 59 previous Super Bowl winners, 40 have featured at least one former HBCU player in the starting lineup (specifically in the game itself). This includes each of the first 25 Super Bowl winners.
2: Quarterbacks to start in the Super Bowl
In the 60-year history of the Super Bowl, there have only been two HBCU quarterbacks to start in the big game. Grambling State’s own Doug Williams made history by becoming the first black quarterback to start in Super Bowl XXII, leading the then Washington Redskins (now Washington Commanders) to a 42-10 win over the Denver Broncos. Alcorn State’s Steve McNair is the most recent HBCU quarterback to record a start, leading the Tennessee Titans to their only Super Bowl to date in Super Bowl XXXIV, falling short against the St. Louis Rams.
26: Total touchdowns scored by HBCU players
HBCU players have reached the end zone 26 times in the Super Bowl, including 22 offensive touchdowns. Hall of Famer and Grambling State alum Willie Brown became the first HBCU player to score a defensive touchdown in the Super Bowl after returning an interception 75 yards in Super Bowl XI. Tennessee State’s Mike Hegman (Super Bowl XIII) and Bethune-Cookman’s Nick Collins (Super Bowl XLV) eventually followed in Brown’s footsteps. Jacoby Jones is the only HBCU player to score a special teams touchdown, returning the opening kickoff in the second half of Super Bowl XLVII 108 yards to the house. Delaware State’s John Taylor is the only HBCU player to score the go-ahead touchdown that won his team the game, doing so in Super Bowl XXIII against the Cincinnati Bengals.
14: Different HBCU players to score a touchdown
There have been 14 different HBCU players who have registered a touchdown in the Super Bowl. Of those players, five have scored multiple touchdowns in their careers. Philander Smith alum Elijah Pitts became the first player in Super Bowl history to score multiple touchdowns in a single game, helping lead the Green Bay Packers to a win over the Kansas City Chiefs in the inaugural contest. John Stallworth accomplished this feat in Super Bowl XIII with a pair of receiving scores (three career touchdowns). Jerry Rice, the record holder for career touchdowns in the Super Bowl, recorded three touchdowns on two separate occasions (Super Bowl XXIV and Super Bowl XXIX). In addition to his kick return touchdown, Jacoby Jones also took his only reception of the game 56 yards to the end zone. Rounding out the list of players with two or more career Super Bowl touchdowns is John Taylor.
6: HBCU players with active Super Bowl records
Six former HBCU players hold active Super Bowl records, including Jerry Rice, who holds eight different distinctions. L.C. Greenwood set the record for sacks in a game (4.0) in Super Bowl X, breaking the previous mark set by Grambling State’s Willie Davis in Super Bowl II. He also holds the record for career sacks with 5.0. John Stallworth has the highest career yards per reception mark with 24.4, including the single-game record of 40.3 set in Super Bowl XIV. Doug Williams threw for the most yards in a single quarter (228) and the most touchdowns in a half and a quarter (4). Jacoby Jones’ 108-yard kickoff return touchdown in Super Bowl XLVII is the longest play registered in the game’s history. Finally, John Taylor has the highest average yards per punt return for a single game (18.7) and for a career (15.7).
3: Super Bowl MVPs
Three different HBCU stars shone brightest in their team’s Super Bowl win, claiming the game’s top prize. Richard Dent was the first to do so, helping lead the Chicago Bears to their only championship to date in Super Bowl XX. Doug Williams’ history-making and record-setting performance for the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XII resulted in an MVP nod. Last but not least, Jerry Rice took home the MVP in his first Super Bowl appearance, setting the record for receiving yards in a game (215).
6: HBCU bands to perform in a Super Bowl halftime show
There have been six different HBCU bands that have performed at halftime of the Super Bowl. Grambling State was honored with this distinction in each of the first two Super Bowls, going on to do so four more times. Southern, who first performed at halftime of Super Bowl IV, has done so four times total. Florida A&M has graced the Super Bowl halftime stage twice (first in Super Bowl III), including as part of Prince’s all-time show in Super Bowl XLI. Rounding out the list are Texas Southern (Super Bowl XXXVIII), Prairie View A&M (Super Bowl XLV), and, most recently, Jackson State (Super Bowl LVIII).
