Jan. 22, 2007

Former Illini Aaron Moorhead, one of Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning's several pass-catching targets, will be facing his dad's former team, the Chicago Bears, in Super Bowl XLI.

Last month, as avid readers of CoachRonZook.com may recall, we interviewed two former Fighting Illini fullbacks who each competed for teams that won two Super Bowls: Howard Griffith and Jim Grabowski. Now that the stage is set for Super Bowl XLI Feb. 4 in Miami, it's time to take a quick look at how Illinois Football has been represented in the midwinter gridiron classic.

As a result of the Indianapolis Colts' AFC title win yesterday over the New England Patriots, former Illini defensive back Kelvin Hayden and wide receiver Aaron Moorehead both reached the Super Bowl. Although he has been injured and didn't play in yesterday's game, ex-UI defensive back Eugene Wilson was edged out from making his third appearance in the Super Bowl with the Patriots.

The Chicago Bears will make their first appearance in the Super Bowl since 1985. No former Illini players compete for the "Monsters of the Midway," but former Illinois head coach Ron Turner and former UI offensive line coach Harry Hiestand, the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach, respectively, will help lead the Chicago attack. Had the New Orleans Saints beaten the Bears for the NFC championship yesterday, rookie punter Steve Weatherford and linebacker Danny Clark would have made it to the big stage, along with a pair of former Illinois assistant coaches, Saints' head coach Sean Payton and special teams coach Greg McMahon.

The Illinois football program has been well-represented in the Super Bowl since its inception in 1967 when Grabowski and Ray Nitschke played with the Vince Lombardi-led Green Bay Packers. With Hayden, Moorehead, Turner and Hiestand involved in 2007, the Illini have now placed 24 players and nine coaches into the mega-event.