• mySigEp
  • Shop
  • Giving Opportunities

Sigma Phi Epsilon

Building Balanced Men

  • About SigEp
    • Mission Statement
    • Our Chapters
    • Who We Are
      • National Fraternity
        • National Board of Directors
        • Committees and Task Forces
        • District Governors
      • Educational Foundation
      • SigEp National Housing
      • Headquarters Staff
      • Chapter Support
    • Strategic Plan
    • History & Facts
    • Prominent Alumni
    • Get Involved
    • Job Opportunities
    • Contact Us
  • The SigEp Experience
    • Balanced Man Program
    • SigEp Learning Communities
    • National Programs
      • Monthly Executive Development
      • Springboard: A Series to Launch You Into SigEp Leadership
      • National Transition Retreat
      • Carlson Leadership Academies
      • Ruck Leadership Institute
      • Tragos Quest to Greece
      • Career Coaching
      • Life After College
      • Grand Chapter Conclave
      • Live Your Oath
      • Volunteer Training & Resources
    • Service-learning
    • Membership Perks
      • Alumni
        • PCI Oral History Publication
      • Undergraduates
    • Awards
      • 2020-2021 Award Recipients
      • 2021 Conclave Award Recipients
  • Foundation
    • Give
    • Giving Options
      • Annual Fund
      • Board of Governors
      • Founders Day of Giving
      • Stock, Mutual Fund Gifts
      • Matching Gifts
      • Legacy Society
      • IRA Gifts
      • Donor Advised Fund Gifts
    • Grants & Scholarship Funds
      • Balanced Man Scholarships
      • Tuition Scholarships
    • Board of Governors Weekend Puerto Rico
      • Board of Governors Weekend Details
      • Board of Governors Weekend FAQ
  • Resources
    • Chapter Officers
    • Volunteers
      • Volunteer Training & Resources
    • Parents
    • SigEp National Housing
    • Recruitment
      • Vice President of Recruitment
      • Mentor for Recruitment
      • Substance-free Facilities
    • Substance-free Facilities
    • Member Safety
    • Officer Elections & Transitions
    • Standards & Bylaws
    • Off Script, On Purpose
    • Marketing & Branding
    • Social Media
  • Journal
    • Features
    • Fraternity News
    • Red Door Notes
    • Our Very Own Balanced Men
    • Chapter News
    • Alumni & Volunteer News
    • Educational Foundation
    • Commentary
    • In Memoriam
    • Press Releases
  • Search
  • Give
  • /
  • Volunteer
  • /
  • Join
  • /
  • Learn More
  • About SigEp
    • Mission Statement
    • Our Chapters
    • Who We Are
      • National Fraternity
        • National Board of Directors
        • Committees and Task Forces
        • District Governors
      • Educational Foundation
      • SigEp National Housing
      • Headquarters Staff
      • Chapter Support
    • Strategic Plan
    • History & Facts
    • Prominent Alumni
    • Get Involved
    • Job Opportunities
    • Contact Us
  • The SigEp Experience
    • Balanced Man Program
    • SigEp Learning Communities
    • National Programs
      • Monthly Executive Development
      • Springboard: A Series to Launch You Into SigEp Leadership
      • National Transition Retreat
      • Carlson Leadership Academies
      • Ruck Leadership Institute
      • Tragos Quest to Greece
      • Career Coaching
      • Life After College
      • Grand Chapter Conclave
      • Live Your Oath
      • Volunteer Training & Resources
    • Service-learning
    • Membership Perks
      • Alumni
        • PCI Oral History Publication
      • Undergraduates
    • Awards
      • 2020-2021 Award Recipients
      • 2021 Conclave Award Recipients
  • Foundation
    • Give
    • Giving Options
      • Annual Fund
      • Board of Governors
      • Founders Day of Giving
      • Stock, Mutual Fund Gifts
      • Matching Gifts
      • Legacy Society
      • IRA Gifts
      • Donor Advised Fund Gifts
    • Grants & Scholarship Funds
      • Balanced Man Scholarships
      • Tuition Scholarships
    • Board of Governors Weekend Puerto Rico
      • Board of Governors Weekend Details
      • Board of Governors Weekend FAQ
  • Resources
    • Chapter Officers
    • Volunteers
      • Volunteer Training & Resources
    • Parents
    • SigEp National Housing
    • Recruitment
      • Vice President of Recruitment
      • Mentor for Recruitment
      • Substance-free Facilities
    • Substance-free Facilities
    • Member Safety
    • Officer Elections & Transitions
    • Standards & Bylaws
    • Off Script, On Purpose
    • Marketing & Branding
    • Social Media
  • Journal
    • Features
    • Fraternity News
    • Red Door Notes
    • Our Very Own Balanced Men
    • Chapter News
    • Alumni & Volunteer News
    • Educational Foundation
    • Commentary
    • In Memoriam
    • Press Releases
  • Search
  • mySigEp
  • Shop
  • Giving Opportunities
Home / Uncategorized / Celebrating SigEps with historic Super Bowl connections

February 13, 2022

Celebrating SigEps with historic Super Bowl connections

Categories: Uncategorized

By Ben Ford, Arkansas Tech Renaissance and Guillermo Flores

Did you know more than a dozen SigEps have historic Super Bowl connections? These legendary brothers have made a name for themselves on and off the field. From 2002 NFL MVP Rich Gannon, Delaware ’87, to three-time Super Bowler Keith Bishop, Baylor ’80, brothers have made an impact at the big game throughout the years. From Ben Tompkins, Texas-Austin ’52, who refereed two Super Bowls to Thad Bogardus, Elon ’11, who will be coaching in Super Bowl LVI as assistant linebackers coach for the Rams, SigEps have also assisted Super Bowls on the sidelines.

Ben-Tompkins
dougatkins
billybarneseagles
boblilly
billbrownvikings
johnnyrobinsonchiefs
keithbishopbroncos
vannmcelroyraiders
richgannonraiders
keithbrucesbb
joebarrypackers
25 Oct 1998:  Punter Kyle Richardson #5 of the Baltimore Ravens in action during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Ravens 28-10. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel  /Allsport
thadbogarustams

Ben Tompkins, Texas-Austin ’52, officiated Super Bowls XIV and XVIII during his 20-year career as an NFL referee. In college, he started at QB for Texas, winning a conference championship, and went on to play baseball for six seasons in the Phillies organization before becoming an NFL referee.

Doug Atkins, Tennessee ’53, was a Hall of Fame defensive end for the Browns, Bears and Saints. With the Browns in 1954, Atkins won the NFL Championship (before the existence of the Super Bowl). Drafted #11 in 1953, Atkins started in eight Pro Bowls, and his No. 91 is retired at Tennessee.

Prior to the existence of the Super Bowl, running back Billy Barnes, Wake Forest ’57, was a key member of the Eagles backfield that won the 1960 NFL Championship. He enjoyed a nine-year NFL career, including three Pro Bowl appearances, and went on to coach for the Falcons.

Bob Lilly, Texas Christian ’61, and 1975 SigEp Citation recipient, made the most memorable play of Super Bowl VI with a 29-yard sack of Dolphins QB Bob Griese, at the time the longest sack in NFL history. Lilly also played in Super Bowl V. He was with the Dallas Cowboys his entire career, appeared in 11 Pro Bowls as a defensive lineman and in 1981, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Bill Brown, Illinois ’61, appeared in four Pro Bowls and won an NFL Championship with the Vikings in 1969. He holds Vikings running back records for most games played, consecutive games played and most games started. His son-in-law is Delaware SigEp and 2002 NFL MVP Rich Gannon.

Hall of Fame safety Johnny Robinson, Baker ’71, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019. Super Bowl IV champion with the Chiefs, he also appeared in Super Bowl I and played for 12 years in the NFL and AFL. A college football national champion with LSU in 1958, Robinson was initiated into SigEp’s Baker chapter in 1971 and received the SigEp Citation for his achievements in 1973.

Keith Bishop, Baylor ’80, a two-time Pro Bowl guard for the Broncos, appeared in three Super Bowls: XXI, XXII and XXIV.

Vann McElroy, Baylor ’82, a two-time Pro Bowl selection as a safety, won Super Bowl XVIII with the Raiders. He enjoyed a nine-year career with the Raiders and Seahawks.

Rich Gannon, Delaware ’87, led the Raiders to Super Bowl XXXIII. NFL MVP and passing yards leader in 2002, Gannon enjoyed an 18-year career as an NFL QB, including four Pro Bowl appearances. Gannon’s father-in-law is Illinois Alpha brother Bill Brown, himself an All-Pro halfback.

Keith Bruce, Illinois ’87, led the implementation of Super Bowl 50 as CEO and president of the San Francisco Bay Area Super Bowl Host Committee. Under Keith’s leadership, Super Bowl 50 set viewership records and made an impact on the community, with over $13 million raised for local philanthropic causes. He currently leads QuintEvents International, implementing global events for Formula One Experiences. Bruce received the SigEp Citation in 2017.

Joe Barry, Michigan ’93, is currently defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers and has enjoyed a career as an NFL coach since 2000, including DC positions for the Lions and Washington. Barry won Super Bowl XXXVIII with the Buccaneers as linebackers coach under Jon Gruden.

Kyle Richardson, Arkansas State ’96, had a career as a punter spanning nearly a decade. With the Ravens in 2000, he won Super Bowl XXXV over the Giants. The two teams set the combined record for most punts in a Super Bowl.

Thad Bogardus, Elon ’11, will be coaching in the Super Bowl LVI as assistant linebackers coach for the Rams. In his fifth year with the Rams on the defensive side of the ball, Bogardus coached three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald as an assistant DL coach. Prior to the Rams, he was with the Broncos for two years, including as a coaching intern as Denver won the 2015 Super Bowl. He started with the Ball State football program and got his first NFL job with the Bills.

Did we miss a brother with a Super Bowl connection? Let us know in the comments.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Welcome to the SigEp Journal Online

SigEp’s online source for Fraternity news, feature stories and how-to articles for you and your chapter.

Features

Fraternity News

Red Door Notes

Our Very Own Balanced Men

Chapter News

Alumni & Volunteer News

Conclave Chronicle

Training in 10

Educational Foundation

Commentary

In Memoriam

Press Releases

Want to make a submission?

Have a story to tell? Please submit news today!

To have a brother or volunteer recognized in SigEp's In Memoriam section, please submit an obituary.

Recent Posts

  • SigEp remembers Order of the Golden Heart recipient and longtime Texas Epsilon volunteer
  • SigEp remembers Air Force general and Citation recipient
  • Celebrating SigEps with historic Super Bowl connections
  • Fraternity remembers brother who dedicated his career to SigEp
  • SigEp names Brian Tenclinger Volunteer Engagement and Education Director

Questions?

For questions regarding the SigEp Journal Online, please contact our Marketing & Communications Team.

For questions regarding the SigEp Journal, please contact Journal Editor Tyya Turner.

Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity

310 South Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Richmond, VA 23220
(804) 353-1901

Contact our staff.

About SigEp

  • Mission Statement
  • Who We Are
  • Our Chapters
  • Chapter Support

The SigEp Experience

  • Awards
  • History & Facts
  • Programs

Resources

  • Chapter Officers
  • Volunteers
  • Help Documentation