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Notre Dame In The NFL: Super Bowl Preview

Starting left tackle Ryan Harris could become a Super Bowl champion this weekend.
Starting left tackle Ryan Harris could become a Super Bowl champion this weekend.

On Sunday, three former Notre Dame football players will be represented in the Super Bowl 50 clash between the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos.

For the NFC champion Panthers, long snapper J.J. Jansen is a Notre Dame graduate that has carved out an impressive professional career at the position. For the AFC champion Broncos, left tackle Ryan Harris and safety David Bruton helped head coach Gary Kubiak’s squad reach the final game of the season.

Bruton will not play in the Super Bowl due to a broken fibula suffered late in the regular season. He recorded 49 tackles, seven pass deflections, two interceptions and two forced fumbles in 13 games (three starts) as a defensive back and special teams standout.

Harris has started every game this season for Denver after the organization signed him during the offseason.

Regardless of the outcome Sunday, at least one former Irish player will join the previous 41 to have earned a Super Bowl ring.

Super Bowl Winners From Notre Dame
Year Name Team

2015

Darius Fleming and Jonas Gray

New England Patriots

2014

Golden Tate

Seattle Seahawks

2012

Justin Tuck

New York Giants

2011

Ryan Grant

Green Bay Packers

2010

John Carney

New Orleans Saints

2008

Justin Tuck and Jerome Collins

New York Giants

2007

Rocky Boiman and Hunter Smith

Indianapolis Colts

2006

Jerome Bettis

Pittsburgh Steelers

2005

David Givens

New England Patriots

2004

David Givens

New England Patriots

2002

Marc Edwards, Brock Williams and Jabari Holloway

New England Patriots

2000

Todd Lyght

St. Louis Rams

1997

Derrick Mayes, Aaron Taylor, Lindsay Knapp and

Craig Hentrich

Green Bay Packers

1995

Ricky Watters, Junior Bryant, Bryant Young and

Anthony Peterson

San Francisco 49ers

1993

Steve Beuerlein

Dallas Cowboys

1991

Mark Bavaro, Eric Dorsey, Tom Rehder and Dave Duerson

New York Giants

1990

Joe Montana

San Francisco 49ers

1989

Joe Montana

San Francisco 49ers

1987

Mark Bavaro and Eric Dorsey

New York Giants

1986

Dave Duerson and Tom Thayer

Chicago Bears

1985

Joe Montana

San Francisco 49ers

1984

Steve Sylvester

Los Angeles Raiders

1983

Joe Theismann

Washington Redskins

1982

Joe Montana and Bobby Leopold

San Francisco 49ers

1981

Steve Sylvester

Oakland Raiders

1980

Rocky Bleier

Pittsburgh Steelers

1979

Rocky Bleier

Pittsburgh Steelers

1977

Steve Sylvester and Dave Casper

Oakland Raiders

1976

Rocky Bleier and Terry Hanratty

Pittsburgh Steelers

1975

Rocky Bleier and Terry Hanratty

Pittsburgh Steelers

1974

Nick Buoniconti and Bob Kuechenberg

Miami Dolphins

1973

Nick Buoniconti and Bob Kuechenberg

Miami Dolphins

1970

Jim Lynch

Kansas City Chiefs

1967

Paul Hornung and Red Mack

Green Bay Packers

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Pro Bowl Recap

Three former Irish players participated for Team Michael Irvin in a 49-27 win over Team Jerry Rice in the Pro Bowl on Sunday.

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert caught one pass for 11 yards, but left the game and ended up in a walking boot. According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the injury is not considered serious.

Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith recorded three tackles and Dallas Cowboys right guard Zack Martin also participated in the victory.

Irish in the NFL Season Recap

Robert Blanton (2008-11) DB, Minnesota Vikings

2015 season: 34 tackles and three passes broken up in 16 games (one start).

Sergio Brown (2006-09) S, Jacksonville Jaguars

2015 season: 38 tackles, 1.5 sacks and two pass deflections in 15 games (four starts).

David Bruton (2005-08) S, Denver Broncos

2015 season: 49 tackles, seven pass deflections, two interceptions and two forced fumbles in 13 games (three starts).

Braxston Cave (2008-12) OL, Detroit Lions

2015 season: Did not play.

Jimmy Clausen (2007-09) QB, Baltimore Ravens

2015 season: Completed 72 of 125 passes for 739 yards with two touchdowns and four interceptions in four games (three starts).

Tyler Eifert (2009-12) TE, Cincinnati Bengals

2015 season: 52 receptions for 615 yards and 13 touchdowns in 13 games (12 starts).

Anthony Fasano (2002-05) TE, Tennessee Titans

2015 season: 26 receptions for 289 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games (11 starts).

Darius Fleming (2008-11) LB, New England Patriots

2015 season: Four tackles in six games.

Michael Floyd (2008-11) WR, Arizona Cardinals

2015 season: 52 receptions for 849 yards and six touchdowns in 15 games (six starts).

Jonas Gray (2008-11) RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

2015 season: 45 rushes for 176 yards and seven receptions for 76 yards in eight games.

Ryan Harris (2003-06) OT, Denver Broncos

2015 season: 16 starts.

Bennett Jackson (2010-13) DB, New York Giants

2015 season: Injured reserve.

J.J. Jansen (2004-07) LS, Carolina Panthers

2015 season: 16 games at long snapper.

TJ Jones (2010-13) WR, Detroit Lions

2015 season: 10 receptions for 132 yards and one touchdown and one carry for minus-three yards in 10 games.

Ben Koyack (2011-14) TE, Jacksonville Jaguars

2015 season: Was on the practice squad.

Kapron Lewis-Moore (2008-12) DE, Baltimore Ravens

2015 season: Three tackles in five games.

Zack Martin (2009-13) OL, Dallas Cowboys

2015 season: 16 starts at right guard.

Troy Niklas (2011-13) TE, Arizona Cardinals

2015 season: Four receptions for 33 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games (three starts).

Louis Nix (2010-13) DL, New York Giants

2015 season: Did not record a stat in four games played.

Theo Riddick (2009-12) RB, Detroit Lions

2015 season: 43 carries for 133 yards, 80 receptions for 697 yards and three touchdowns and one lost fumble in 16 games (one start).

Cody Riggs (2014) CB, Tennessee Titans

2015 season: 14 tackles, one pass deflection and two forced fumbles in 11 games.

Trevor Robinson (2008-11) OL, San Diego Chargers

2015 season: Played in 16 games (13 starts).

Kyle Rudolph (2008-10) TE, Minnesota Vikings

2015 season: 49 receptions for 495 yards and five touchdowns in 16 games (16 starts).

Kona Schwenke (2010-13) OL/DL, Seattle Seahawks

2015 season: Injured reserve.

Harrison Smith (2007-11) S, Minnesota Vikings

2015 season: 66 tackles, two interceptions, three pass deflections and one forced fumble in 13 games (13 starts).

John Sullivan (2003-07) C, Minnesota Vikings

2015 season: Injured reserve.

Golden Tate (2007-09) WR, Detroit Lions

2015 season: 90 receptions for 813 yards and six touchdowns in 16 games (16 starts).

Manti Te’o (2009-12) LB, San Diego Chargers

2015 season: 74 tackles, one interception and two pass deflections in 11 games (11 starts).

Justin Tuck (2001-04) DE, Oakland Raiders

2015 season: 14 tackles and three pass deflections in five games (five starts).

Stephon Tuitt (2011-13) DE, Pittsburgh Steelers

2015 season: 54 tackles, 6.5 sacks and one interception in 13 games (13 starts).

Darrin Walls (2006-10) CB, New York Jets

2015 season: 10 tackles and two passes deflected in 13 games.

Chris Watt (2009-13) OL, San Diego Chargers

2015 season: Five games (three starts).

Ian Williams (2007-10) DT, San Francisco 49ers

2015 season: 65 tackles, one sack, one pass deflection and one forced fumble in 16 games (16 starts).

Cierre Wood (2009-12) RB, Buffalo Bills

2015 season: Two carries for three yards and 1 reception for minus-six yards in one game before going on injured reserve.

Sam Young (2006-09) OT, Jacksonville Jaguars

2015 season: 16 games (three starts).

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