Last spring, Vanderbilt running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. While Vaughn was not always selected to the active roster in his first season with the Buccaneers, he logged 26 carries, 109 rushing yards and one touchdown reception. This Sunday, he closes his rookie season at Super Bowl LV playing against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Vaughn, however, is not the only Commodore lined up for a chance at a ring this year. Emmanuel Smith, linebacker and former Commodore, is currently on the practice squad for the Kansas City Chiefs.
The duo are the most recent addition to the decades-long list of Vanderbilt football alumni that have made an appearance at the Super Bowl. Let’s look at Commodores who have made an appearance at past championship games.
Super Bowl VI, 1971-1972: After triumphing in the NFC Championship, the Dallas Cowboys played the AFC champion Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI. Former Vanderbilt offensive lineman Bob Asher and defensive end Pat Toomay both played for the Cowboys, and they decimated the Miami Dolphins 24-3 during the Cowboys’ first ever Super Bowl win.
Super Bowl XV, 1980-1981: Former Commodores Dennis Harrison, a defensive end, and Brenard Wilson, a safety, both played for the Philadelphia Eagles during Super Bowl XV. The Eagles’ first Super Bowl was marred by a 27-10 loss to the Oakland Raiders.
Super Bowl XXIII, 1988-1989: After winning the AFC championship, the Cincinnati Bengals played the NFC champion San Francisco 49ers during Super Bowl XXIII. Vanderbilt alumnus and wide receiver Carl Parker played for the Bengals during these teams’ second Super Bowl meeting. The Bengals eventually lost 20-16.
Super Bowl XXV and XXVI, 1990-1992: Offensive lineman and former Commodore Will Wolford played for the Buffalo Bills in the first two of four consecutive Super Bowl games that the Bills played in: Super Bowl XXV against the New York Giants and Super Bowl XXVI against the Washington Football Team.
Super Bowl XXXV, 2000-2001: A safety who started his NFL career in 1992, Vanderbilt alum Corey Harris won a ring with the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XXXV against NFC titleholders the New York Giants.
Super Bowl XXXVII, 2002-2003: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won their first ever Super Bowl in 2003 with help from former Commodores tight end Todd Yoder and linebacker Shelton Quarles. The Buccaneers defeated the AFC champion Oakland Raiders 48-21 in a landslide victory.
Super Bowl XL, 2005-2006: Though he started his football career at Vanderbilt as a running back, Jimmy Williams transitioned to play defense and made his way to the Super Bowl stage as cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks during Super Bowl XL. The NFC champion Seattle Seahawks were ultimately defeated by the AFC champion Pittsburgh Steelers 21-10.
Super Bowl XLI, 2006-2007: Commodore legend Hunter Hillenmeyer played as linebacker with the Chicago Bears against the Indianapolis Colts during Super Bowl XLI. This was the Bears’ first Super Bowl appearance since 1985, but they were defeated by the Colts 29-17.
Super Bowl XLVI, 2011-2012: Vanderbilt alum Jonathan Goff played as linebacker for the New York Giants from 2008 through 2011. Goff was sidelined due to a torn ACL before the first week of practice during the 2011-2012 season, but he still won a ring when the Giants defeated the New England Patriots 21-17 during Super Bowl XLVI.
Super Bowl XLIX, 2014-2015: Former Commodore wide receiver Jonathan Krause was on the practice squad for the New England Patriots during Super Bowl XLIX. Krause ultimately secured a ring with the Patriots’ 28-24 win against the Seattle Seahawks.
Super Bowl LII and LIII, 2017-2019: Vanderbilt alumni Adam Butler and Adam Jelks played defensive tackle and offensive lineman for the New England Patriots, respectively, and during his rookie season, Adam Butler saw time in Super Bowl LII. Due to a lingering injury, Andrew Jelks was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list and did not get to see the field during the Patriots’ 41-33 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Andrew Jelks retired on July 19, 2018, but Adam Butler continued to play for the Patriots and ultimately won a ring during Super Bowl LIII when the Patriots triumphed 13-3 against the NFC champion Los Angeles Rams.
Super Bowl LIV, 2019-2020: Offensive lineman Justin Skule was a four-year starter while at Vanderbilt, and during his rookie year with the San Francisco 49ers he helped the team win the NFC Championship and make its way to Super Bowl LIV. The 49ers ultimately lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 31-20.
