Ex-Purdue Hoopers Len Dawson and Bob Griese Threw Super Bowl TD Passes

February 8th, 2024 - 8:30

In football feedback prior to a ballyhooed game such as the Super Bowl, there is a natural inclination to focus on the quarterback matchup. If adding an emphasis on college basketball to the equation, you should know Purdue alums Len Dawson (played hoops in 1957) and Bob Griese (1965) were involved in three Super Bowl QB duels in a four-year span featuring signal callers who each played major-college varsity basketball. Dawson won SB IV with the Kansas City Chiefs against Minnesota Vikings (23-7 vs. Cal 57-58 hooper Joe Kapp) before Griese split back-to-back Super Bowls against the Dallas Cowboys (lost to Navy 63 hooper Roger Staubach, 24-3, in VI) and Washington Redskins (defeated UCLA 60 hooper Billy Kilmer, 14-7, in VII).

Dawson (IV) and Staubach (VI), each named a Super Bowl MVP in a three-year span, both hooked up with fellow college cagers for touchdowns in SB competition. The initial basketball TD connection in Super Bowl history was Dawson's game-long 46-yard pass reception to Otis Taylor (Prairie View A&M backup forward in era following glory years of pro standout Zelmo Beaty) capping off scoring in SB IV. Taylor eluded Vikings DB Earsell Mackbee, a hoops teammate of Utah State All-American Wayne Estes in 1964-65.

Receivers for three of Staubach's eight TD passes in four SB appearances were former major-college hoopers. The fourth-quarter basketball bounty for Staubach went to:

  • Mike Ditka (Pittsburgh 59-60) capping off game's scoring with seven-yard touchdown pass in Super Bowl VI.
  • Percy Howard (Austin Peay State 73-75) with a 34-yard catch capping off scoring in Super Bowl X.
  • Billy Joe DuPree (Michigan State 72) via a seven-yarder in SB XIII.

Joining Howard among ex-college hoopers catching passes from Staubach in Super Bowl X was Preston Pearson (Illinois 65-67), who competed for three different pro franchises in the SB (also Baltimore Colts III and Pittsburgh Steelers IX). Although none of Pearson's catches found end-zone pay-dirt, he provided game highs of five pass receptions from Staubach for "America's Team" in two Super Bowls (X and XII). In Super Bowl XXXIX, former NCAA Tournament hoopers Donovan McNabb (Syracuse 96-97) and Terrell Owens (UT Chattanooga 94-96) hooked up for nine pass receptions and 122 receiving yards with the Philadelphia Eagles although none for a TD. Where are such incredible versatile athletes like this these days?