Skip to main content

Alabama Crimson Tide has a Strong History of Players in the Super Bowl

Following Super Bowl LVI between the Bengals and Rams, 49 former Crimson Tide players had participated in 39 Super Bowls.

Considering that Alabama had at least one player on every team during the 2021-22 NFL season, the odds are extremely favorable for the Crimson Tide to have its 50th former player play in a Super Bowl next year. 

It came just shy at Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles. 

Alabama ended up with five former players on the rosters of the teams playing for the Lombardi Trophy, but only two got into the game. 

Defensive lineman A'Shawn Robinson started and had a sack for the Rams. Linebacker Terrell Lewis was inactive and long-snapper Carson Tinker was on the practice squad after being added back again the day before. 

It was the seventh time Tinker was signed by the Rams since Dec. 18, a precautionary move during the coronavirus pandemic as teams were allowed to replace active-roster players who tested positive with practice-squad members.

For the Bengals, Jonah Williams started at left tackle. Damion Square remained on the practice squad and was not one of two players elevated for the game, which would have made him eligible to play. 

Square spent the season with the Raiders, and had three tackles (one for a loss) in their Wild Card Playoff matchup against the Bengals on Jan. 15. When the Raiders lost, his practice squad contract expired, making him a free agent. 

Ten days later, he was signed to the Bengals practice squad, and on January 30 promoted to the regular roster. 

That's how Square became the first player in NFL history to play for two teams in one postseason.

Alabama's history with the Super Bowl has had a profound impact on the game, including the MVP of Super Bowls I, II and III having all played for the Crimson Tide. 

Bart Starr, who lettered from 1952-55, played in the league’s first two championship games, quarterbacked the Green Bay Packers. Joe Namath, who lettered at Alabama from 1962-64, was the MVP of Super Bowl III, leading the New York Jets to victory. 

Cornelius Bennett (1983-86) has played in the most Super Bowls, having appeared in five, four times with the Buffalo Bills and once with the Atlanta Falcons. 

Dont’a Hightower (2008-11), Larry Roberts (1982-85), Jeff Rutledge (1975-78) and Bart Starr (1952-55) have each won two Super Bowl rings, tying for the most by a former Alabama player. 

But not everyone who has a ring played in the game. 

For example, Tampa Bay tight end O.J. Howard and Kansas City wide receiver Gehrig Dieter helped their teams reach Super Bowl LV, won by the Buccaneers, but did not play in the game. Howard was on the injured list with a season-ending Achilles injury, and Dieter was on the Chiefs' practice squad. 

Overall, 49 former Crimson Tide players have participated in 39 Super Bowls heading into the 2022 season. 

Here's the breakdown of everyone who was on his teams' active roster for the Super Bowl:

Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr in action during Super Bowl I at the Los Angeles Coliseum against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Bart Starr in action against the Oakland Raiders during Super Bowl II at the Orange Bowl. The Packers defeated the Raiders 33-14.
New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath in an interview in the locker room after defeating the Baltimore Colts during Super Bowl III at the Orange Bowl. The Jets defeated the Colts 16-7 giving the AFL their first victory over the NFL in the Super Bowl series.
Baltimore Colts running back Norm Buliach (36) carries the ball as Dallas Cowboys linebackers Lee Roy Jordan (55) and Tom Stincic (56) defend in Super Bowl V at the Orange Bowl.
Cowboys linebacker Lee Roy Jordan (55) and Jethro Pugh (75) react after recovering a fumble against the Miami Dolphins during Super Bowl VI at Tulane Stadium.
Lee Roy Jordan tackles Franco Harris during Super Bowl X
Kenny Stabler and John Madden after winning the Super Bowl
Jeff Rutledge with the Rams
Johnny Davis (38) in Super Bowl XVI
Miami Dolphins quarterback (16) David Woodley drops back to pass behind center (57) Dwight Stephenson against the Washington Redskins during Super Bowl XVII at the Rose Bowl.
Los Angeles Raiders guard Charley Hannah (73) and running back Marcus Allen (32) block for quarterback Jim Plunkett (16) against the Washington Redskins during Super Bowl XVIII at Tampa Stadium.
Miami Dolphins running back Tony Nathan (22) in action during Super Bowl XIX against the San Francisco 49ers at Stanford Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Dolphins 38-16.
England Patriots tackle John Hannah (73) and Pete Brock (58) block Chicago Bears defensive tackle William Perry (72) during Super Bowl XX at the Superdome.
New York Giants back up quarterback Jeff Rutledge (17) lines up behind center Bart Oates (65) on a fake punt against the Denver Broncos during Super Bowl XXI at the Rose Bowl.
Denver Broncos safety Jeremiah Castille (28) intercepts a pass intended for Washington Redskins receiver Gary Clark (84) during Super Bowl XXII at Jack Murphy Stadium.
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Larry Roberts (91) tackles Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Boomer Esiason (7) during Super Bowl XXIII at Joe Robbie Stadium.
Denver Broncos running back Bobby Humphrey (26) carries the ball against San Francisco 49ers linebacker Michael Walter (99) during Super Bowl XXIV at the Superdome.
Buffalo Bills cornerback Nate Odomes (37) attempts to tackle New York Giants tight end Howard Cross (87) during Super Bowl XXV at Tampa Stadium.
Chris Mohr punts during Super Bowl XXVI at the Metrodome in Minneapolis.
Buffalo Bills linebacker Cornelius Bennett (97) in action against the Dallas Cowboys during Super Bowl XXVII at the Rose Bowl.
The Cowboys scored 35 points off of a Super Bowl-record nine Buffalo turnovers, including three first half touchdowns.
Running back Sherman Williams with the Dallas Cowboys
Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway (7) in action against Atlanta Falcons linebacker Cornelius Bennett (97) during Super Bowl XXXIII at Dolphin Stadium.
Cornelius Griffen
Alonzo Ephraim
Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander tries to break through the Pittsburgh Steelers defense in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XL at Ford Field. Steelers cornerback Deshea Townsend (26) is the background.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison (92) carries the ball after an interception en route to a 100-yard touchdown return as cornerback Deshea Townsend (26) blocks in the second quarter of Super Bowl XLIII against the Arizona Cardinals at Raymond James Stadium.
New Orleans Saints safety Roman Harper (41) before Super Bowl XLIV against the Indianapolis Colts at Sun Life Stadium.
Green Bay Packers safety Charlie Peprah (26) tackles Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Emmanuel Sanders (88) during the first half of Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium.
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning throws in the pocket during the first half with pressure from New England Patriots defensive end Mark Anderson (95) in Super Bowl XLVI at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Ravens linebacker Courtney Upshaw in Super Bowl XLVII
USATSI_8074231
New England Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium.
Denver Broncos guard Evan Mathis (69) talks with the media after the Denver Broncos won Super Bowl 50 at Levi's Stadium.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) makes a catch ahead of New England Patriots cornerback Eric Rowe (25) in the fourth quarter during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium.
New England Patriots defensive end Lawrence Guy (93) reacts as Philadelphia Eagles offensive guard Chance Warmack (67) celebrates after an Eagles field goal by kicker Jake Elliott (4) during the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium.
New England Patriots wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) is tackled by Los Angeles Rams nose tackle Ndamukong Suh (93) and inside linebacker Mark Barron (26) during the second quarter of Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Reggie Ragland (59) celebrates after defeating the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium.
Los Angeles Rams defensive end A'Shawn Robinson (94) sacks Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) in the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium.

Alabama in the Super Bowl (Alphabetically) 

Player (Years at Alabama), NFL Team, Super Bowl 

  1. Shaun Alexander (1996-99), Seattle Seahawks, XL - Feb. 5, 2006
  2. Mark Anderson (2002-05), Chicago Bears, XLI - Feb. 4, 2007; New England Patriots, XLVI - Feb. 5, 2012
  3. Mark Barron (2008-11), Los Angeles Rams, LIII - Feb. 3, 2019
  4. Bob Baumhower (1974-76), Miami Dolphins, XVII - Jan. 30, 1983; XIX - Jan. 20, 1985 
  5. Cornelius Bennett (1983-86), Buffalo Bills, XXV - Jan 27, 1991; XXVI - Jan. 26, 1992; XXVII - Jan. 31, 1993; XXVIII - Jan. 30, 1994; Atlanta Falcons, XXXIII - Jan. 31, 1999
  6. James Carpenter (2009-10), Seattle Seahawks, XLVIII - Feb. 2, 2014; XLIX - Feb. 1, 2015
  7. Joe Carter (1980-83), Miami Dolphins, XIX - Jan. 20, 1985
  8. Jeremiah Castille (1979-82), XXII - Jan. 31, 1988
  9. Terrence Cody (2008-09), Baltimore Ravens, XLVII - Feb. 3, 2013
  10. Paul Crane (1963-65), New York Jets, III - Jan. 12, 1969
  11. Howard Cross (1985-88), New York Giants, XXV - Jan. 27, 1991, XXXV - Jan. 28, 2001
  12. Johnny Davis (1975-77), San Francisco 49ers, XVI - Jan. 24, 1982
  13. Brandon Deaderick (2006-09), New England Patriots. XLVI - Feb. 5, 2012
  14. Alonzo Ephraim (2000-02), Philadelphia Eagles, XXXIX - Feb. 6, 2005
  15. Cornelius Griffin (1998-99), New York Giants, XXXV - Jan. 28, 2001
  16. Charley Hannah (1974-76), Los Angeles Raiders, XVIII - Jan. 22, 1984
  17. John Hannah (1970-72), New England Patriots, XX - Jan. 26, 1986
  18. Roman Harper (2002-05), New Orleans Saints, XLIV - Feb. 6, 2010; Carolina Panthers, L - Feb. 7, 2016
  19. Dont’a Hightower (2008-11), New England Patriots, XLIX - Feb. 1, 2015; LI - Feb. 5, 2017; LIII - Feb. 3, 2019
  20. Dennis Homan (1965-67), Dallas Cowboys, V - Jan. 17, 1971
  21. Bobby Humphrey (1985-88), Denver Broncos, XXIV - Jan. 28, 1990
  22. Wilbur Jackson (1971-73), Washington Redskins, XVII - Jan. 30, 1983
  23. Julio Jones (2008-10), Atlanta Falcons, LI - Feb. 5, 2017
  24. Robbie Jones (1979-82), New York Giants, XXI - Jan. 25, 1987
  25. Lee Roy Jordan (1960-62), Dallas Cowboys, V - Jan. 17, 1971; VI - Jan. 16, 1972;.X - Jan. 18, 1976
  26. Emmanuel King (1982-84), Cincinnati Bengals, XXIII - Jan. 22, 1989
  27. Derrick Lassic (1989-92), Dallas Cowboys, XXVIII - Jan. 30, 1994 (DNP)
  28. Anthony Madison (2002-05), Pittsburgh Steelers, XLIII - Feb. 1, 2009; XLV - Feb. 6, 2011
  29. Evan Mathis (2001-04), Denver Broncos, L, Feb. 7, 2016
  30. Don McNeal (1977-79), Miami Dolphins, XVII - Jan. 30, 1983l XIX - Jan. 20, 1985
  31. Chris Mohr (1985-88), Buffalo Bills, XXVI - Jan. 26, 1992; XXVII - Jan. 31, 1993; XXVIII - Jan. 30, 1994
  32. Joe Namath (1962-64), New York Jets, * III - Jan. 12, 1969
  33. Tony Nathan (1975-78), Miami Dolphins, XVII - Jan. 30, 1983; XIX - Jan. 20, 1985
  34. Charlie Peprah (2002-05), Green Bay Packers, XLV - Feb. 6, 2011
  35. Ray Perkins (1964-66), Baltimore Colts, III - Jan. 12, 1969; V - Jan. 17, 1971
  36. Reggie Ragland (2012-15), Kansas City Chiefs, LIV - Feb. 2, 2020
  37. Larry Roberts (1982-85), San Francisco 49ers, XXIII - Jan. 22, 1989; XXIV - Jan. 28, 1990
  38. A'Shawn Robinson (2013-15), Los Angeles Rams, XLVI - Feb. 13, 2022 
  39. Jeff Rutledge (1975-78), Los Angeles Rams, XIV - Jan. 20, 1980; New York Giants, XXI - Jan. 25, 1987; Washington Redskins, XXVI - Jan. 26, 1992
  40. Kenny Stabler (1965-67), Oakland Raiders, XI - Jan. 9, 1977
  41. Bart Starr (1952-55), Green Bay Packers, * I - Jan. 15, 1967; * II - Jan. 14, 1968
  42. Dwight Stephenson (1977-79), Miami Dolphins, XVII - Jan. 30, 1983; XIX - Jan. 20, 1985
  43. Deshea Townsend (1994-97), Pittsburgh Steelers, XL - Feb. 5, 2006; XLIII - Feb. 1, 2009
  44. Courtney Upshaw (2008-11), Baltimore Ravens, XLVII - Feb. 3, 2013; New England Patriots, LI - Feb. 5, 2017
  45. Chance Warmack (2009-12), Philadelphia Eagles, LII - Feb. 4, 2018
  46. Jonah Williams (2016-18), Cincinnati Bengals, LVI - Feb. 13, 20022
  47. Sherman Williams (1991-94), Dallas Cowboys, XXX - Jan. 28, 1996
  48. Cornelius Wortham (2000-04), Seattle Seahawks, XL - Feb. 5, 2006
  49. Steve Wright (1962-64), Green Bay Packers, I - Jan. 15, 1967; II - Jan. 14, 1968 (DNP)

*Super Bowl MVP; DNP = Was active, but did not play in the game.