Super Bulldogs

David Carr, QB, NY Giants

I don’t know about you, but I don’t think that I could have envisioned a more exciting Championship weekend than the one we just had to decide who got to play in Super Bowl XLVI. Both games had all the elements of instant classics. And after all of the confetti fell and the trophies were handed out it’s even more amazing that four former Fresno State Bulldogs will be going to Indy to play for the Lombardi Trophy.

Bear Pascoe, TE, NY Giants

Making it even easier for Bulldog fans is the fact there are two players per team, so Bulldog fans go home happy no matter who wins. David Carr (QB, 1997-2001) and Bear Pascoe (TE, 2004-08) both play for the New York Giants while Logan Mankins (G, 2001-04) and Ryan Wendell (C, 2004-07) play for the New England Patriots. This will be Mankins’ second trip to the Super Bowl having lost (to the Giants no less) in Super Bowl XLII.

Logan Mankins, G, Patriots

Only Boston College, with five former Eagles, will have more former players in Indy than the Bulldogs. Michigan and Florida will also have four players each. That’s some pretty impressive company for Fresno State.

Historically speaking, the Bulldogs have only had 10 players in the previous 45 Super Bowls combined. The most in any one year came in 2008 when a pair of Bulldogs – Stephen Spach and Bryan Robinson – represented the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII.

Ryan Wendell, C, Patriots

Only three Bulldogs have taken home the ultimate prize: Stephen Baker (Giants, XXV), Trent Dilfer (Ravens, XXV) and Michael Pittman (Bucs, XXXVII). James Williams holds the top spot for number of Super Bowl appearances for a Bulldog, having been a part of all four Buffalo Bills teams to reach the game in the early 90’s.

Congrats to all four players for making it to the Super Bowl and representing the Valley!