Then and Now: Richmond area's Super Bowl heroes
Fred Jeter | 2/3/2022, 6 p.m.
Cincinnati Bengals offensive right guard Quinton Spain - No. 67 - will become the latest local athlete to perform on football’s grandest stage.
From Petersburg High, the 340-pound Spain provides much of the heavy lifting required to give quarterback Joe Burrow time to pass and running back Joe Mixon room to gallop.
Now let’s take a stroll through pigskin history and revisit some other local luminaries to strut their stuff in the Super Bowl.
Willie Lanier (Maggie L. Walker High): The bruising middle linebacker was among the defensive heroes as Kansas City defeated Minnesota, 23-7, in Super Bowl IV.
Russell Wilson (Collegiate): The Seattle Seahawks quarterback is 1-and-1 in Super Bowl, defeating Denver, 43-8, in XLVIII, and losing to New England, 28-24, in Super Bowl XLIX.
William Henderson (Thomas Dale): The Green Bay Packers’ powerful fullback was a primary body- guard for QB Brett Favre in Super Bowl XXXI, a 35-21 win over New England.
Damien Woody (Patrick Henry): As a teammate of QB Tom Brady, the center/offensive guard helped New England to victories in Super Bowls XXXVI and XXXVIII.
Larry Brooks (Prince George High, Virginia State):The Los Angeles Rams’ defensive tackle never played in a Super Bowl for L.A., but was defensive line coach for Green Bay’s XXXI Super Bowl win.
Herb Scott (Virginia Union): The long-time (1975-‘84) Dallas Cowboys offensive guard was instrumental in his team’s 27-10 win over Denver in Super Bowl XII.
Mike Bragg (University of Richmond): Known for the “hang time” on his towering kicks, he served as Washington’s punter in the 14-7 loss to Miami in Super Bowl VII.
Cornelius Johnson (Virginia Randolph, Virginia Union): In helping Baltimore Colts to 16-13 win over Dallas in Super Bowl V, the offensive guard blocked for QBs Johnny Unitas and Earl Morrall.
Michael Robinson (Varina): In Seattle’s 43-8 win over Denver in Super Bowl XLVIII, “M-Rob” was lining up at fullback and providing much of the protection for Seahawks’ QB Russell Wilson.
Just missed: Special team’s player Trenton Cannon (Virginia State) would have reached this year’s Super Bowl if the San Francisco 49ers had hung on to defeat the Rams. Cannon was placed on injured reserve in Week 13 but was activated Jan. 29 and played against LA in the Conference final.