Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that Cornell graduate Kevin Boothe still plays with the NY Giants. In fact, he now plays for the Oakland Raiders.
Eric Silverman of ESPN Ithaca made the following observation on Twitter Monday morning:
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Silverman is referring to Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Bryan Walters (Cornell class of 2010) and Green Bay Packers offensive-lineman JC Tretter (Cornell class of 2012).
Whoever wins the game, at least one Cornell University graduate will be appearing in Super Bowl 49. Not bad, considering the football team went 1-9 this year and was subsequently mocked in a CU Nooz satirical article, “Cornell Football Players Awarded Participation Trophies.”
Bryan Walters
Walters, 27, won a Super Bowl with the Seahawks last year.
He was the fourth Cornellian to appear on a Super Bowl roster and the third to win one, according to the university. (The other two: Derrick Harmon ’84, of the San Francisco 49ers; and former New York Giant Kevin Boothe ’05, who has won two championship rings.)
According to Cornell, Walters graduated with Ivy League records for career punt return (972 yards) and kick return (2,790 yards).
Still, he was “virtually ignored” by the NFL upon his graduation until he caught a break with the San Diego Chargers.
A university press release details his next steps:
(Walters) popped up on the radar screen with a 103-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in a preseason game against the Seahawks in 2011. In another game that preseason, he had two impressive catches in the final 10 seconds, including the game-winning touchdown to beat the Arizona Cardinals. That season he opened the year on the roster, making three catches for 27 yards over the first two games.
As for this year, The Seattle Times reported on Sunday that Walters saw playing time and has a “key” special teams role for the Seahawks.
JC Tretter
While at Cornell, the Green Bay Packers’ JC Tretter was a “unanimous” All-Ivy League First Team player.
The offensive lineman protected quarterback Jeff Mathews, who put up some of the best numbers in Ivy League passing history.
Tretter missed a good deal of the beginning of this season due to injury. He also missed most of his rookie year because of an ankle injury, according to the Packers’ website.
The Akron, NY, native could play a key role in defending Packers’ QB Aaron Rodgers from the Seahawks’ rush attack.
The Packers beat the Dallas Cowboys and will face the Seahawks on Sunday in the NFC Championship Game. The winner will play Super Bowl 49 on Feb. 1 in Glendale, Ariz.