The Connecticut Connections to the Super Bowl

Despite its small size, Connecticut has been well represented in the Super Bowl. Several Connecticut natives, as well as graduates of Connecticut colleges and universities who hail from other states, have participated in the Super Bowl.

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, a 1975 graduate of Wesleyan University in Middletown, has participated in the most Super Bowls—six. Belichick was an assistant with the NY Giants for the 1986 and 1990 Super Bowls. As defensive coordinator for the Giants in Super Bowl XXV in 1990, his brilliant defensive plan against the favored Buffalo Bills drew so much attention that it is on display in the Pro Football Hall Of Fame in Canton, Ohio. As Patriots head coach, Belichick has a 3-1 record in the Super Bowl.

Wesleyan has also been represented in the Super Bowl by Belichick’s former protégé, Eric Mangini, of Hartford, Connecticut. Before leaving for a head coaching position with the Jets, Mangini was part of three Super Bowls with the Patriots as an assistant coach.

Another Connecticut notable who was a big part of the Patriots’ 2001 Super Bowl championship is defensive back and New Britain native, Tebucky Jones. Jones is credited with causing three fumbles in Super Bowl XXXVI against the St. Louis Rams.

1987 Central Connecticut State University graduate, Scott Pioli, was also part of three Super Bowl wins with the Patriots as Director of Player Personnel.

Dave Campo of New London and Central Connecticut State has been part of three Super Bowl championships with the Dallas Cowboys—two as defensive backs coach in 1992 and 93 and one as defensive coordinator there.

Yale University has had two notable participants in the winter classic: Chuck Mercein and Calvin Hill. Mercein, a 1965 grad, was both All-Ivy and All-American at Yale. His NFL career was rather unremarkable except for his participation in the famous “Ice Bowl” game: Super Bowl II. Mercein gained 20 important yards on six carries for the Green Bay Packers vs. the Cowboys in that gridiron classic. Calvin Hill, 1969 Yale grad and father of NBA star Grant Hill, had a very distinguished 12 year NFL career. A four time Pro-Bowler, Hill was rookie of the year in 1969 and was the first Cowboys' running back to run for more than 1,000 yards in a season. He was part of the Cowboys’ win in Super Bowl VI against the Miami Dolphins.

Southern Connecticut State College has been well represented in the Super Bowl as well. Division II All-American of Southern, Joe Andruzzi, played for the New England Patriots as an offensive guard from 2000-2005. He won three Super Bowl championships with the Patriots. Kevin Gilbride, another SCSU grad and current offensive coordinator for the NY Giants, has won a Super Bowl in that capacity for the Giants.

Another Connecticut native and multiple Super Bowl participant is 1984 Rockville High graduate, Bill Romanowski, whose career as an NFL linebacker spanned 16 years. Romanowski played for the 49ers, Eagles, Broncos, and Raiders and participated in five Super Bowls, winning in four of them. “Romo-cop” was a Pro-Bowler twice and has set a record for most consecutive games played by a linebacker—243. He retired in 2004.

Hartford native, Eugene Robinson, had a 16 year career in the NFL as a safety. He was a 1985 Colgate University grad who played in Super Bowl XXXVI with the Packers, defeating the Patriots in 1996. He also played against the Denver Broncos the following year, losing to them 34-31 in Super Bowl XXXVII.

Bloomfield High grad, Dwight Freeney, is one of the very best defensive linemen in the NFL. The Syracuse grad has played for the Indianapolis Colts since 2002. Known for his pass-rushing ability, Freeney was the AFC defensive player of the year in 2005 and has been chosen for the Pro Bowl on multiple occasions. He was part of the Colts’ Super Bowl championship team in 2007. One of Freeney’s teammates last year in Super Bowl XLIV against New Orleans was running back Donald Brown –UCONN’s former standout player. UCONN player, Brian Kozlowski, played in the NFL from 1993-2003 with the Giants, Falcons, and Redskins. As a member of the Falcons in 1999, Kozlowski played on the losing team in Super Bowl XXXV. The only former UCONN Husky to play on a winning Super Bowl team is Nick Giaquinto. Giaquinto, who still holds the single game rushing record for UCONN with 277 yards, played in two Super Bowls for the Redskins: 1982 and 1983, winning one and losing one.

In summary, during the 45 year history of the Super Bowl, at least 15 players and coaches with strong Connecticut ties representing five Connecticut universities have played or coached in America’s winter classic. If you can think of anyone else, please comment below.