An FSU alum will win a Super Bowl ring in today's big game. The Seahawks have running back Cam Akers on the roster, and he has been elevated to the active roster for the game, and the Patriots have defensive tackle Joshua Farmer, who is unfortunately on injured reserve.
But what about the nearly 100 FSU alums that have played in Super Bowls over the past 60 years? Who has had the best performances? It was tough to trim the list to five, but here goes nothing.
The 5 best Super Bowl performances by FSU alumni:
1) Derrick Brooks, Super Bowl XXXVII (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
FSU has two alums that won Super Bowl MVPs and one of them was in this game, but his success was a complete byproduct of Brooks' ability to see everything on the field, call the plays and get everyone in the right position. While doing that, he managed a tackle for loss, a pass defended and an interception that he returned for a 44-yard touchdown that iced a 48-21 win over the Oakland Raiders.
Bucs 50 Countdown
— Liam Mitchell (Bucs Vault) (@BucsArchive1976) April 19, 2025
Greatest Play #3 : Super Bowl XXXVII 2002
Derrick Brooks, 2002 defensive player of the year and the greatest player in Buccaneers history, seals the first Super Bowl victory in franchise history. pic.twitter.com/tNavVJ7qag
2) Josh Sweat, Super Bowl LIX (Philadelphia Eagles)
Sweat probably should've been the MVP of last year's game because he almost single handedly destroyed Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs' offense. He has six tackles, two tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in a performance where he was unblockable. When he didn't put Mahomes on the ground, his ability to create pressure forced turnovers.
Speed Bull by Josh Sweat. @SweatyJ_9 walks his blocker into Mahomes, which affects the throw & leads to the Baun INT! #PassRush #FlyEaglesFly #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/le8UuyE4N1
— DLineVids (@dlinevids1) February 10, 2025
3) Anquan Boldin, Super Bowl XLVII (Baltimore Ravens)
Boldin had a couple of solid performances in the big game and in this 34–31 Ravens win he had six catches for 104 yards and a touchdown, leading Baltimore in receptions and yards. It was a sweet day for Boldin, who had eight catches for 84 yards with the Arizona Cardinals in a heartbreaking 27-23 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII.
4) Dexter Jackson, Super Bowl XXXVII (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Jackson had two interceptions to grab the MVP award in the Bucs' blowout win over the Raiders. Personally, I thought Brooks or Simeon Rice should've gotten it instead, but Jackson was fine. He went where Brooks and John Lynch told him to go and capitalized on his opportunities. Nothing wrong with that. Special note that Greg Spires, another Seminole alum, had a solid game as well.
5) Deion Sanders, Super Bowl XXIX (San Francisco 49ers)
Sanders just edged out Devonta Freeman's great game in Super Bowl LI because Sanders' 49ers won beating the San Diego Chargers 49-26 and "Primetime" was the best defensive player in the league that season. Even though the Chargers did everything to avoid him, Sanders still had three tackles (!!) and an interception.
The biggest honorable mention obviously goes to Fred Biletnikoff in Super Bowl XI. Thanks to the power of the Super Bowl Channel that appeared on PlutoTV a couple of years ago, I got to see nearly every big game in its original form. Biletnikoff's numbers — four catches for 79 yards — doesn't really hold up today and, truth be told, the Raiders gained 266 yards rushing and Clarence Davis (16 carries, 137 yards) was probably the better choice. But Biletnikoff has nothing to apologize for. He led the game in receiving yards and the award for the best receiver in college football is named after him, so he deserves his flowers.