A year after not having any of its former players reach the field in the Super Bowl, Alabama could tie its record for the most alumni in a single Super Bowl on Sunday.
The most former Alabama players to appear in a Super Bowl are five, which occurred to cap the 1982 and 1984 seasons.
Only one of those players came out a winner in those Super Bowls -- running back Wilbur Jackson, who played for the Washington Redskins in their 27-17 victory over the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XVII. Defensive tackle Bob Baumhower, cornerback Don McNeal, running back Tony Nathan and center Dwight Stephenson played for Miami.
Those four were back, joined by running back Joe Carter, two years later when Miami lost 38-16 to the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XIX.
Those two games were the only Super Bowls in which more than three former Alabama players had participated until the NFL championship game for the 2022 season, when four Crimson Tide alumni got on the field for the Philadelphia Eagles. Even though Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts had one of the best performances in the game’s history, the Eagles lost to Kansas City 38-35 in Super Bowl LVII.
Here’s a rundown of the Alabama alumni who have played in the Super Bowl:
Shaun Alexander, a running back, rushed for 95 yards on 20 carries in the Seattle Seahawks’ 21-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XL on Feb. 5, 2006.
Mark Anderson, a defensive end, had one-half sack in the Chicago Bears’ 29-17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLI on Feb. 4, 2007, and 1.5 sacks in the New England Patriots’ 21-17 loss to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5, 2012.
Mark Barron, an inside linebacker, made eight tackles and broke up a pass in the Los Angeles Rams' 13-3 loss to the Patriots in Super Bowl LIII on Feb. 3, 2019.
Bob Baumhower, a defensive tackle, had 10 tackles and a sack in the Miami Dolphins’ 27-17 loss to the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XVII on Jan. 30, 1983, and made three tackles in the Dolphins’ 38-16 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XIX on Jan. 20, 1985.
Cornelius Bennett, a linebacker, played in five Super Bowls. Bennett was on the Buffalo Bills when they lost to the New York Giants 20-19 in Super Bowl XXV on Jan. 27, 1991; the Washington Redskins 37-24 in Super Bowl XXVI on Jan. 26, 1992; the Dallas Cowboys 52-17 in Super Bowl XXVII on Jan. 31, 1993; and the Cowboys 30-13 in Super Bowl XXVIII on Jan. 30, 1994; and on the Atlanta Falcons in a 34-19 loss to the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXXIII on Jan. 31, 1999. Bennett record 37 tackles and broke up three passes in the five games.
James Carpenter, a guard, started in the Seattle Seahawks’ 43-8 victory over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII on Feb. 2, 2014, and in the Seahawks' 28-24 loss to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX on Feb. 1, 2015.
Joe Carter, a running back, played in the Miami Dolphins’ 38-16 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XIX on Jan. 20, 1985.
Jeremiah Castille, a cornerback, intercepted a pass in the Denver Broncos’ 42-10 loss to the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XXII on Jan. 31, 1988.
Terrence Cody, a defensive tackle, made one tackle in the Baltimore Ravens’ 34-31 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII on Feb. 3, 2013.
Paul Crane, a linebacker, made one tackle in the New York Jets’ 16-7 victory over the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III on Jan. 12, 1969.
Howard Cross, a tight end, caught four passes for 39 yards in the New York Giants’ 20-19 victory over the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXV on Jan. 27, 1991, and caught one pass for 7 yards in the Giants’ 34-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XXXV on Jan. 28, 2001.
Johnny Davis, a running back, carried the ball two times for 5 yards in the San Francisco 49ers’ 26-21 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XVI on Jan. 24, 1982.
Brandon Deaderick, a defensive tackle, made a sack in the New England Patriots’ 21-17 loss to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5, 2012.
Landon Dickerson, a guard, played all 75 of Philadelphia’s offensive snaps on the left side of the line in the Eagles’ 38-35 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII on Feb. 12, 2023.
Cornelius Griffin, a defensive tackle, made 1.5 sacks in the New York Giants’ 34-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XXXV on Jan. 28, 2001.
Charley Hannah, a guard, was a starter in the Los Angeles Raiders’ 38-9 victory over the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XVIII on Jan. 22, 1984.
John Hannah, a guard, was a starter in the New England Patriots’ 46-10 loss to the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XX on Jan. 26, 1986.
Roman Harper, a safety, was a starter in the New Orleans Saints’ 31-17 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV on Feb. 7, 2010, and in the Carolina Panthers’ 24-10 loss to the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50 on Feb. 7, 2016. He had eight tackles for the Saints and two for the Panthers.
Dont’a Hightower, a linebacker, made a key stop for the New England Patriots in their 28-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX on Feb. 1, 2015; a pivotal sack in their 34-28 overtime victory against the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI on Feb. 5, 2017; and two sacks, three quarterback hits and a pass breakup in their 13-3 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII on Feb. 3, 2019. On the Seattle offense’s next-to-last snap of Super Bowl XLIX, Hightower brought down Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch at the New England 1-yard line despite playing with a torn labrum. In Super Bowl XLIX, Hightower caused Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan to fumble, and the Patriots recovered the loose football at the Atlanta 25-yard line with 8:24 left in the fourth quarter trailing by 16 points.
In that game, Hurts was joined in Philadelphia’s starting lineup by left guard Landon Dickerson and wide receiver DeVonta Smith. The trio were joined by a fourth alumnus, cornerback Josh Jobe, who was on the field for 23 special-teams plays during Super Bowl LVII.
For Sunday’s Super Bowl LIX against the Kansas City Chiefs, Dickerson, Hurts and Smith remain in their positions for Philadelphia. Fellow Crimson Tide alumnus Tyler Steen is a reserve offensive lineman who has appeared in every Eagles’ game, with three starts, this season.
The wild-card for Alabama equaling its Super Bowl participation record will be cornerback Eli Ricks. During the regular season, Ricks played in seven of Philadelphia’s 17 games, and he did not play in the Eagles’ three NFC postseason games. Although he is a member of Philadelphia’s 53-man active roster, he has been designated as a game-day inactive 13 times this season.
The Kansas City Chiefs do not have a former Alabama player on their roster for Super Bowl LIX.
Forty-nine former Alabama players have appeared in the Super Bowl.
Bobby Humphrey, a running back, carried the ball 12 times for 61 yards and caught three passes for 38 yards in the Denver Broncos’ 55-10 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XXIV on Jan. 28, 1990.
Jalen Hurts, a quarterback, started in the Philadelphia Eagles’ 38-35 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII on Feb. 12, 2023. Hurts completed 27-of-38 passes for 304 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions and ran for 70 yards and three touchdowns on 15 carries. He became the first player in NFL history with 300 passing yards, 70 rushing yards and three touchdown runs in the same game. He tied the Super Bowl record for TD runs.
Wilbur Jackson, a running back, played in the Washington Redskins’ 27-17 victory over the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XVII on Jan. 30, 1983.
Josh Jobe, a cornerback, was on the field for 27 special-team plays in the Philadelphia Eagles’ 38-35 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII on Feb. 12, 2023.
Julio Jones, a wide receiver, caught four passes for 87 yards, including one for a 27-yard gain considered among the best receptions in Super Bowl history, in the Atlanta Falcons’ 34-28 overtime loss to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI on Feb. 5, 2017.
Robbie Jones, a linebacker, made one tackle in the New York Giants’ 39-20 victory over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXI on Jan. 26, 1987.
Lee Roy Jordan, a linebacker, started for the Dallas Cowboys in a 16-13 loss to the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl V on Jan. 17, 1971; a 24-3 victory over the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI on Jan. 16, 1972; and a 21-17 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl X on Jan. 18, 1976. He made 31 tackles and broke up two passes in the three games.
Anthony Madison, a cornerback, played for the Pittsburgh Steelers in a 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII on Feb. 1, 2009, and in a 31-25 loss to the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLV on Feb. 6, 2011. He made two special-teams tackles in the former game and one defensive tackle and one special-teams tackle in the latter.
Evan Mathis, a guard, started in the offensive line for the Denver Broncos in a 24-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 on Feb. 7, 2016.
Don McNeal, a cornerback, started for the Miami Dolphins in a 27-17 loss to the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XVII on Jan. 30, 1983, and a 38-16 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XIX on Jan. 20, 1985. He made seven tackles and broke up four passes in the two games.
Chris Mohr, a punter, played in three Super Bowls for the Buffalo Bills – punting six times for a 35.0-yard average in a 37-24 loss to the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XXVI on Jan. 26, 1992; three times for a 45.3-yard average in a 52-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Super bowl XXVII on Jan. 31, 1993; and five times for a 37.6-yard average in a 30-13 loss to the Cowboys in Super Bowl XXVIII on Jan. 30, 1994.
Joe Namath, a quarterback, completed 17-of-28 passes for 206 yards in the New York Jets’ 16-7 victory over the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III on Jan. 12, 1969. Namath won the MVP Award for the game.
Tony Nathan, a running back, played in two Super Bowls for the Miami Dolphins, rushing seven times for 26 yards in a 27-17 loss to the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XVII on Jan. 30, 1983, and running five times for 18 yards and catching 10 passes for 83 yards in a 38-16 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XIX on Jan. 20, 1985.
Charlie Peprah, a safety, made 10 tackles in the Green Bay Packers’ 31-25 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV on Feb. 6, 2011.
Ray Perkins, a wide receiver, played in two Super Bowls for the Baltimore Colts -- a 16-7 loss to the New York Jets in Super Bowl III on Jan. 12, 1969, and a 16-13 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl V on Jan. 17, 1971.
Reggie Ragland, a linebacker, made two tackles while playing 26 of Kansas City’s 58 defensive snaps in the Chiefs’ 31-20 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV on Feb. 2, 2020.
Larry Roberts, a defensive end, played in two Super Bowls for the San Francisco 49ers, starting and making three tackles in a 20-16 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XXIII on Jan. 22, 1989, and registering a sack in a 55-10 victory over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXIV on Jan. 28, 1990.
A’Shawn Robinson, a defensive end, made six tackles and recorded one sack in the Los Angeles Rams’ 23-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI on Feb. 13, 2022.
Alabama got in on the ground floor of Super Bowl history by providing the game’s first three MVPs -- Bart Starr, the Green Bay Packers quarterback in the two AFL-NFL World Championship games now known as Super Bowls I and II, and New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath in Super Bowl III.
Linebacker Cornelius Bennett has played in more Super Bowls than any other former Alabama star, going to four with the Buffalo Bills and one with the Atlanta Falcons.
New England Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower played in three Super Bowl victories, and four other Alabama alumni played in two each – Starr, Larry Roberts, Jeff Rutledge and Deshea Townsend.
Jeff Rutledge, a quarterback, finished off a couple of Super Bowl routs -- the New York Giants’ 39-20 victory over the Broncos in Super Bowl XXI on Jan. 25, 1987, and the Washington Redskins’ 37-24 victory over the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXVI on Jan. 26, 1992. He also was a member of the Los Angeles Rams in a 31-19 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XIV on Jan. 20, 1980, but he did not play in the game.
Rod Rutledge, a tight end, played in the New England Patriots’ 20-17 victory over the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI on Feb. 3, 2002.
DeVonta Smith, a wide receiver, had seven receptions for 100 yards in the Philadelphia Eagles’ 38-35 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII on Feb. 12, 2023.
Ken Stabler, a quarterback, completed 12-of-19 passes for 180 yards and a touchdown in the Oakland Raiders’ 32-14 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI on Jan. 9, 1977.
Bart Starr, a quarterback, started in two Super Bowls for the Green Bay Packers, completing 16-of-23 passes for 250 yards and two touchdowns in a 35-10 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl I on Jan. 15, 1967, and 13-of-24 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown in a 33-14 victory over the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl II on Jan. 14, 1968. Starr was the MVP of both games.
Dwight Stephenson, a center, started in two Super Bowls for the Miami Dolphins -- a 27-17 loss to the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XVII on Jan. 30, 1983, and a 38-16 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XIX on Jan. 20, 1985.
Deshea Townsend, a cornerback, played in two Super Bowls for the Pittsburgh Steelers, starting and making six tackles and a sack in a 21-10 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL on Feb. 5, 2006, and making three tackles in a 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII on Feb. 1, 2009.
Courtney Upshaw, a linebacker, made five tackles and forced a fumble in the Baltimore Ravens’ 34-31 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII on Feb. 3, 2013, and registered a sack in the Atlanta Falcons’ 34-28 overtime loss to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI on Feb. 5, 2017, when he played in the defensive line.
Chance Warmack, a guard, played in a reserve role in the Philadelphia Eagles' 41-33 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII on Feb. 4, 2018.
Jonah Williams, an offensive tackle, played every offensive snap at left tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals in a 23-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LVI on Feb. 13, 2022.
Steve Wright, an offensive tackle, played in the Green Bay Packers’ 35-10 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl I on Jan. 15, 1967. Wright was on the Packers the next season for their 33-14 victory over the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl II, but he did not play in the game.
Cornelius Wortham, a linebacker, played in the Seattle Seahawks’ 21-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XL on Feb. 5, 2006.
Ten former Alabama players have gone to the Super Bowl as active-roster members, but they didn’t play in the big game -- linebacker Emanuel King with the Cincinnati Bengals at Super Bowl XXIII, running back Derrick Lassic with the Dallas Cowboys at Super Bowl XXVIII, running back Sherman Williams with the Cowboys at Super Bowl XXX, center Alonzo Ephraim with the Philadelphia Eagles at Super Bowl XXXIX, offensive tackle Wesley Britt with the New England Patriots at Super Bowl XLII, cornerback Fernando Bryant with the Pittsburgh Steelers at Super Bowl XLIII, fullback Tim Castille with the Arizona Cardinals at Super Bowl XLIII, wide receiver Kevin Norwood with the Seattle Seahawks at Super Bowl XLVIII and the Carolina Panthers at Super Bowl 50, cornerback Cyrus Jones with the Patriots at Super Bowl LI and outside linebacker Terrell Lewis with the Los Angeles Rams at Super Bowl LVI.
