From Mississippi to Santa Clara, a long list of players with local ties is heading to Super Bowl LX.
The incoming showdown between the NFC’s Seattle Seahawks (14-3) and AFC’s New England Patriots (14-3) may not feature a player more important to their team than Seattle’s Charles Cross. The starting left tackle from Laurel has been trusted all season with protecting the blindside of quarterback Sam Darnold – and he’s done a good job, too, allowing just two sacks.
But New England may be his toughest task yet.
Mike Vrabel’s Patriots, who were middle of the pack in regular-season sack numbers, have flipped a switch in the playoffs. They have doubled their sack rate from two to four, consistently pressuring opposing quarterbacks from both the inside and outside. Not only will the lights be brighter as it will be the biggest game Cross has ever played in, but he is also expected to see much of edge rusher Harold Landry III, who has proven dangerous and has 8.5 sacks on the season.
With two weeks of preparation already underway, Cross plans to be ready for what he calls a dream come true.
“As a kid, I always wanted to be a Super Bowl winner and being here now is just surreal,” the former Mississippi State Bulldog told KPTV after the NFC championship. “I feel like everyone’s bought in, you know, doing everything we can to get this dub in two weeks.”
Other active-roster Seattle players with Mississippi ties are Gulfport native and linebacker Derick Hall, Clinton native and running back Cam Akers, and former Ole Miss defensive end Jared Ivey. Hall has 11 tackles on the season, while Akers has not had a a carry since being signed in November. Ivey, a rookie, has yet to get much playing time.
Practice-squad Seattle players with Mississippi ties are Terry native and nose tackle Jamie Sheriff and former Ole Miss linebacker Chris Paul Jr. Former Ole Miss safety AJ Finley is on the injured reserve list.
New England has one active-roster player from Mississippi: Vicksburg native and former Ole Miss center Ben Brown. He backs up starting center Garrett Bradbury.
Practice-squad New England players with Mississippi ties are former Ole Miss safety Otis Reese, former Ole Miss safety John Saunders Jr., and former Ole Miss cornerback Miles Battle. Horn Lake native and linebacker Darius Harris is on the injured reserve list.
As for the coaches, there are a handful with Mississippi ties, as well. Seattle assistant head coach Leslie Frazier is from Columbus and went to Alcorn State. Seattle linebackers coach Chris Partridge was the defensive coordinator at Ole Miss from 2020-22. For New England, former Jackson State linebacker Milton Patterson is a defensive assistant.
Super Bowl LX will be played Sunday, Feb. 8, at 5:30 p.m. CT. The game will take place inside Levi’s Stadium, in Santa Clara, Calif.