Gators in the NFL: Super Bowl LV
Courtesy of University Athletic Association
BY RICK HURTADO
The Gators will be represented in the Super Bowl for the 19th year in a row
The National Football League is set to kick off Super Bowl LV Sunday, and for the 19th year in a row, Florida will be represented in the big game as two former Gators will look to become world champions. Florida has had a player in each Super Bowl since 2003.
Rookie punter Tommy Townsend will dress for Kansas City as the Chiefs face Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa. Townsend, who was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after his performance in Week 15, will look to earn his first Super Bowl title.
The former Gator kicked 53 punts this season, placing 21 of them inside the 20-yard line for a total of 2,100 net yards (40.4 avg.). Townsend finished the regular season ranked tied for sixth in the AFC with 20 punts inside the 20-yard line.
Meanwhile wide receiver Demarcus Robinson, who was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 due to contact tracing earlier this week, will be eligible to participate in Sunday’s game after a mandatory five-day isolation period and continued negative test results.
A five-year league veteran, Robinson appeared in all 18 games of the season with the Chiefs, recording 46 receptions for 480 yards (10.4 avg.) and three touchdowns. In the regular season, Robinson ranked third in receptions (45) and fourth in yardage (466) and touchdowns (3) among Chiefs pass catchers.
Sunday’s game will be his second consecutive appearance in a Super Bowl.
Overall, Gators have been a part of 23 Super Bowl-winning teams, with 58 players making 76 appearances.
As Super Bowl LV gets going down the road from the Swamp, it will be the 18th time in history that a former UF player appears in a Super Bowl in the State of Florida, as 16 Gators have appeared in 17 games. A full list of Gators who have played in a Super Bowl in the State of Florida is below.
Super Bowl LV will also mark the fifth time in history that the game has been played in Tampa. The first time was in 1984, and even though no former Florida players appeared in the game, the Gators were represented by the UF Marching Band. The band made its appearance prior to the game and during halftime.
Super Bowl LV will kick off at 6:30 p.m. ET inside Raymond James Stadium, and it will be televised on CBS.
