Six former Wolverines, coach hope to have Super Sunday

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When the Pittsburgh Steelers clinched the AFC championship Jan. 22, the story line centered around running back Jerome Bettis returning to play in the Super Bowl in his hometown of Detroit.

Foote played linebacker at U-M from 1998-2001. (Photo courtesy Wolverine Photo)

But, Bettis isn't the only Steeler coming home for the Super Bowl Feb. 5 when Pittsburgh takes on NFC champion Seattle at Ford Field. Former U-M standout and Pittsburgh linebacker Larry Foote also is returning to his hometown.

"Oh yeah, oh yeah, I'm going home, too," Foote told the Pittsburgh Tribune Review after the Steelers' 34-17 win over the Broncos. "It's like one of those dreams where you say, I want to be a billionaire. The road we took this season and the doubt was trying to creep in, but we didn't let it. And we ended up in Detroit," the newspaper quoted him as saying.

Foote, a second-year starter at linebacker, starred at Pershing High School in Detroit before playing four years at U-M (1998-2001). Foote ranks second on the Steelers in tackles with 98, and his interception early in the fourth quarter of the AFC championship game helped keep the Broncos out of the end zone.

Foote will be among Wolverine friends and teammates when he takes the field for the 40th edition of the world's most televised event. Five other former U-M players and an assistant coach dot the rosters of this year's Super Bowl combatants.

Tight end Jerame Tuman (1995-98), a member of U-M's 1997 national championship squad, is playing his 7th season in Pittsburgh. Defensive lineman Grant Bowman (2000-03) was signed to the Steelers' practice squad last week.

Hutchinson (Photo courtesy Wolverine Photo)

Three Wolverines are in the Seattle organization. All-Pro starting left guard Steve Hutchinson (1997-2000) was a member of U-M's 1997 championship team. Cornerback Jeremy LaSueur (2000-03) is on the Seahawks' practice squad, and defensive end Alian Kashama (2000-03) currently is on injured reserve.

Seattle defensive backs coach Teryl Austin served in the same position at U-M from 1999-2002.

U-M's presence in one of the world's biggest sporting events is well established. Nine of the last 10 Super Bowl winners have suited up a former Wolverine. In fact, a Michigan player has participated in the Super Bowl every year since 1995.

All U-M players in this year's game will have to impress to top the Wolverines' legacy of success in the game.

Former quarterback Tom Brady (1997-99) was the starting QB during the New England Patriots' run of three titles in four years (2002, 2004-05), and he was named Super Bowl most valuable player in 2002 and 2004.

Wide receiver Desmond Howard (1989-91) earned Super Bowl MVP honors with his performance for the victorious Green Bay Packers in 1997.