Magnificent Seven: Ex-Celebrated Cagers Winding Up Playing in Super Bowl

February 8th, 2023 - 10:54

They might not measure up in two-way athlete category to ex-MLB amateur draftees Tom Brady (seven championships in 10 Super Bowl appearances) and Patrick Mahomes II (participating in third SB in last four years). But who are the premier four-year college hoopers to end up competing in the NFL's Super Bowl as players or coaches? There might not be someone in this category in Super Bowl LVII, but the following Magnificent Seven include two small-school hoop sensations who became tight end teammates for multiple Buffalo Bills teams after powering their colleges to non-DI national championships and pair of North Carolina teammates who went from the Final Four to NFL title tilt:

Rank Versatile Athlete Pos. Super Bowl Team/Year(s) Four-Year College Basketball Career Summary
1. Ron Widby P Cowboys/V & VI Three-time all-league selection scored 50 points for Tennessee vs. LSU as senior on his way to becoming SEC player of the year in 1966-67.
2. Cornell Green DB Cowboys/V & VI Finished his three-year varsity career in 1962 as Utah State's all-time leading scorer and rebounder.
3. Harry "Bud" Grant Coach Vikings/IV, VIII, IX & XI Third-leading scorer for Minnesota in 1948-49 (8.5 ppg) after named team MVP previous season over first-team All-American Jim McIntyre.
4. Ronald Curry WR Raiders/XXXVII Team leader in assists, including career-high 10 in ACC Tournament opener against Clemson, during 2000-01 when directing North Carolina to #1 ranking and 18-game winning streak.
5. Julius Peppers DL Panthers/XXXVIII Member of North Carolina's 2000 Final Four squad started both NCAA Tournament games in 2001, including his first double-double (10 rebounds and career-high 21 points against Penn State).
6. Pete Metzelaars TE Bills/XXV through XXVIII Set NCAA Division III FG shooting records for single season (75.3% in 1981-82 as senior) and career (72.4%). Led Wabash IN to 1982 DIII Tournament title, scoring tourney record 129 points in five games and earning tourney outstanding player honors. Scored DIII playoff-record 45 points in championship game against Potsdam State.
7. Keith McKeller TE Bills/XXV through XXVIII Starting center for 1985 NCAA Division II champion Jacksonville State (Ala.). Led Gulf South Conference in rebounding each of first three seasons and finished second as senior. Four-time all-league pick averaged 12.5 ppg and 10.1 rpg from 1982-83 through 1985-86.