Kent State's list of former football player appearances at the Super Bowl will increase to a Mid-American Conference-leading 25 on Sunday when Julian Edelman steps onto the field for the New England Patriots in Atlanta.
Ready to make his fifth Super Bowl appearance at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Edelman recently moved into second place for career NFL playoff receptions with 105. In 2006 and 2007, Edelman was a part of Golden Flashes' teams that faced Miami, whose offense included wide receiver Sean McVay, current head coach of the Los Angeles Rams.
Edelman has made major contributions in each of New England's last two Super Bowl wins, including one of the greatest catches in the game's history in February of 2017. James Harrison also made one of the greatest plays in Super Bowl history with a 100-yard interception for a touchdown in the Steelers' Super Bowl XLIII win over the Arizona Cardinals.
The Flashes will also be represented for the fifth time by Josh Boyer, New England's cornerbacks coach. Boyer's coaching beginnings go back to Kent State, where he served as a graduate assistant in 2002 and 2003 under Dean Pees.  Former KSU coaches will be represented on a Super Bowl staff for the 14th time, dating back to Don McCafferty as offensive coordinator of the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III and the winning head coach in Super Bowl V.
Last season, former Golden Flash Gene Steratore served as referee at Super Bowl LII.
Don Nottingham was the first former player to make an appearance in Super Bowl VIII. Nineteen of the Flashes' 25 player appearances have come in the last 21 years.
Former Kent State players to play in the Super Bowl:
|
Player
|
Years at Kent State
|
Super Bowl(s)
|
Team
|
|
Josh Kline
|
2008-12
|
XLIX
|
New England Patriots
|
|
Julian Edelman
|
2006-08
|
XLVI, XLIX, LI, LII, LIII
|
New England Patriots
|
|
James Harrison
|
1999-2001
|
XL, XLIII, XLV, LII
|
Steelers/ Patriots
|
|
Usama Young
|
2003-06
|
XLIV
|
New Orleans Saints
|
|
Danny Muir
|
2003-06
|
XLIV
|
Indianapolis Colts
|
|
Ken Walter
|
1992-94
|
XXXVI, XXXVIII
|
New England Patriots
|
|
Eugene Baker
|
1995-98
|
XXXVIII
|
Carolina Panthers
|
|
Dan Goodspeed
|
1998-99
|
XXXVII
|
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
|
|
Jason Gavadza
|
1996-99
|
XXXV
|
Baltimore Ravens
|
|
O.J. Santiago
|
1994-96
|
XXXIII
|
Atlanta Falcons
|
|
Bob Hallen
|
1994-97
|
XXXIII
|
Atlanta Falcons
|
|
Mike McGruder
|
1980-83
|
XXXI
|
New England Patriots
|
|
Jack Lambert
|
1971-73
|
IX, X, XIII, XIV
|
Pittsburgh Steelers
|
|
Don Nottingham
|
1968-70
|
VIII
|
Miami Dolphins
|
Former Kent State players to coach in the Super Bowl:
|
Player
|
Years at Kent State
|
Super Bowl(s)
|
Team
|
|
John Matsko
|
1969-72
|
XXXIV, XXXVI, 50
|
Rams/Panthers
|
Former Kent State players to officiate Super Bowl:
|
Player
|
Years at Kent State
|
Super Bowl(s)
|
|
Gene Steratore
|
1981-82
|
LII
|
Former Kent State coaches to coach in the Super Bowl:
|
Coach
|
Years at Kent State
|
Super Bowl(s)
|
Team(s)
|
|
Josh Boyer
|
Grad Asst. (2002-2003)
|
XLVI, XLIX, LI, LII, LIII
|
New England Patriots
|
|
Dean Pees
|
Head (1998-2003)
|
XXXIX, XLII, XLVII
|
Patriots/Ravens
|
|
Eric Studesville
|
Def. Coor. (1995-96)
|
XLVIII, 50
|
Denver Broncos
|
|
Perry Fewell
|
Assistant (1988-91)
|
XLVI
|
New York Giants
|
|
Dom Capers
|
Grad Asst. (1972-74)
|
XLV
|
Green Bay Packers
|
|
Don McCafferty
|
Assistant (1948-58)
|
III, V
|
Baltimore Colts
|
