As we gear up for Super Bowl Sunday, we wanted to recognize SigEp’s Super Bowl stars! 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 coached in Super Bowl LVI as an assistant linebackers coach for the Rams, SigEps have also assisted Super Bowls on the sidelines.
Mark Stewart, Pittsburg State ’91, was chosen for Super Bowl LIX and has been an NFL referee for 7 years.
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 the linebackers coach and run game coordinator for the Miami Dolphins. He has served as the assistant head coach and linebackers coach for the Los Angeles Rams and as the defensive coordinator for the Washington Redskins, Detroit Lions, and Green Bay Packers. Barry has also held assistant coaching roles with the San Diego Chargers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and San Francisco 49ers. 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, is entering his second season with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024 as an assistant inside linebackers coach and his 11th year in the NFL. Before joining the Vikings on March 21, 2023, he spent six seasons with the Los Angeles Rams (2017-22). He served as outside linebackers coach in 2022 and assistant linebackers coach during their Super Bowl LVI victory in 2021. As an assistant DL coach, Bogardus coached three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald. Before 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.
Gideon Yu, Stanford ’93, is a former NFL executive who currently serves as the President and CFO of the San Francisco 49ers. He was pivotal in securing funding for Levi’s Stadium, making it one of the most advanced sports venues. During his tenure, the 49ers experienced significant financial growth and on-field success, including a Super Bowl XLVII appearance.
John Fina, Arizona ’91, played 11 seasons as an offensive tackle in the NFL, spending 10 years with the Buffalo Bills and one with the Arizona Cardinals. A first-round pick in the 1992 NFL Draft, he helped lead the Bills to Super Bowls XXVII and XXVIII.
Donald Horn, Washington State ’67, was a former NFL quarterback who played eight seasons (1967-1974), primarily with the Green Bay Packers. A first-round pick in the 1967 AFL-NFL Draft, he was part of the Packers’ Super Bowl II championship team. Horn also played for the Broncos, Browns, and Chargers before retiring.
Did we miss a brother with a Super Bowl connection? Let us know in the comments.
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