COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) — As Super Bowl LX serves as the NFL season’s grand finale Sunday, the University of South Carolina boasts significant representation in professional football’s biggest game, with three alumni competing for championship glory.
Gamecock Presence on Football’s Biggest Stage
Three former South Carolina standouts occupy Super Bowl rosters this year: safety Nick Emmanwori and linebacker Ernest Jones representing the Seattle Seahawks, while Marcellus Dial suits up for the New England Patriots.
The matchup guarantees a Gamecock will hoist the Lombardi Trophy regardless of outcome—a point South Carolina women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley celebrated when addressing the former players’ achievements.
Staley’s Pride and Prediction
Staley, whose basketball program consistently produces championship-caliber talent, expressed immense pride in South Carolina’s football alumni reaching the sport’s pinnacle.
“The Gamecocks are producing Super Bowl participants…we produce those high-caliber players. We can’t lose because somebody’s going to bring home a Super Bowl ring,” Staley declared.
Despite the win-win scenario, Staley didn’t shy away from declaring her allegiance—driven partly by personal connections within her own program.
“I gotta go with the Hawks. I got an association with the Hawks and Nick. So bring it on home, Nick. I know your ankle is not hurting. I know you’re going to do whatever you need to do to play. So let’s go,” Staley said.
The Nick Emmanwori Connection
Staley’s support for Emmanwori extends beyond general Gamecock loyalty. The rookie safety is dating South Carolina women’s basketball senior point guard Raven Johnson, creating direct ties between the basketball and football programs.
Emmanwori has dealt with an ankle injury sustained on February 4, though Staley expressed confidence in his toughness and determination to compete through the ailment. The first-year defensive back was drafted by Seattle in 2025 after a standout career at South Carolina.
Gamecock Football Legacy
The presence of three South Carolina alumni on Super Bowl rosters underscores the program’s ability to develop NFL-caliber talent. While powerhouse programs often boast double-digit representatives in championship games, South Carolina’s meaningful presence validates the quality of player development in Columbia.
Emmanwori and Jones anchoring the Seahawks’ defense, with Dial contributing to the Patriots’ roster, demonstrates the program’s reach across multiple NFL franchises and its graduates’ capacity to compete at professional football’s highest level.
Championship Sunday Atmosphere
Staley’s comments came during her weekly media availability ahead of South Carolina women’s basketball’s marquee matchup with Tennessee. The convergence of Super Bowl Sunday and the Gamecocks’ critical SEC clash creates a celebration of South Carolina athletics across multiple sports.
Earlier in the week, Staley jokingly noted she was supposed to receive signed jerseys from both Emmanwori and Johnson but hadn’t yet secured them. When asked which jersey she would wear while coaching Sunday’s basketball game—a tradition when her beloved Philadelphia Eagles play—Staley confirmed her choice.
“Ray Ray’s man! Nick’s! Gotta wear Nick’s jersey,” she said, playfully placing responsibility on Johnson for the delayed delivery.
A Winning Weekend for Gamecocks
Sunday represents a banner day for South Carolina athletics. Regardless of the Super Bowl outcome, a former Gamecock will capture an NFL championship. Hours before kickoff, Staley’s women’s basketball team pursues SEC supremacy against Tennessee in a nationally televised ABC game at Colonial Life Arena.
The dual spotlight showcases South Carolina’s athletic excellence across sports and genders—from NFL defenses to elite women’s basketball, Gamecock alumni and current student-athletes continue elevating the university’s national profile.
As Emmanwori, Jones, and Dial chase NFL glory Sunday evening, they carry the Garnet and Black spirit that Staley and her basketball program embody daily: compete with toughness, rise to championship moments, and represent South Carolina with pride on the biggest stages.
For Staley, the message remains clear: whether on basketball courts or football fields, Gamecocks produce champions. Sunday simply provides another opportunity to prove it.
