Karras Headed to Third Super Bowl in Three Years
January 20, 2019 | Football
Former Illini helped Patriots to 37-31 OT win over Chiefs in AFC Championship
Illini in the NFL 2018 Regular Season | Illini in the NFL | Illini in the Super Bowl
Third-year pro Ted Karras will represent the Fighting Illini in the Super Bowl for the third consecutive season following the New England Patriots 37-31 AFC Championship win over Kansas City on Sunday. Karras earned a Super Bowl ring with the Patriots during his rookie season in 2016-17. Super Bowl LIII in will be on Feb. 3 in Atlanta.
It marks the 59th time a former Illini player will suit up for the Super Bowl, and the 23rd time in the last 15 years. Karras is looking to become the 31st Fighting Illini Super Bowl Champion. Entering this year's game, 24 different players have won the title 30 times. » Illini Super Bowl History
Former Illini Jeff Allen (Chiefs) and Justin Hardee (Saints) were eliminated in Sunday's conference championship games, both in overtime as New Orleans fell to the Los Angeles Rams 26-23 in OT.
3 years in the league, 3 trips to the @SuperBowl.
— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) January 21, 2019
Congrats, @_teddy_k on another AFC ??!#Illini ???? pic.twitter.com/RqhVdABDIv
ILLINI IN THE PLAYOFFS – Conference Finals
» Ted Karras, OG/C, New England Patriots – Karras saw action on the offensive line and on PAT and field goal blocking as the Patriots defeated Kansas City on the road in overtime, 37-31, in the AFC Championship. During the regular season the third-year pro and 2017 Super Bowl Champion played in 13 games for the Patriots, making two starts for the 2018 AFC East champions (11-5). Karras got most of his playing time on field goal and PAT blocking units, while also serving as a backup guard and center.
» Jeff Allen, OL, Kansas City Chiefs – Saw action on the offensive line and on PAT and field goal blocking in the Chiefs' 37-31 overtime loss to the Patriots in the AFC Championship.
» Justin Hardee, CB, New Orleans Saints – Made one special teams tackle in the Saints' heartbreaking 26-23 overtime loss to the Rams in the NFC Championship.
ILLINI IN SUPER BOWL LIII
Super Bowl LIII – Sunday, Feb. 3
Los Angeles Rams vs. New England Patriots (Karras) – 5:30 pm CT on CBS
