Of the 59 Super Bowls played, Syracuse has had at least one representative in 32 of them. This year, while SU sends no players to the world’s grandest stage, the Orange legacy still shines as we revisit some of the most unforgettable moments in Super Bowl history.
Larry Csonka – Dolphins
When it comes to Syracuse alumni on the Super Bowl stage, no one touches Larry Csonka. He didn’t just get there once or twice — he went three times and walked away a champion twice. The bruising running back was the heartbeat of Miami’s legendary 1972 perfect season, setting the tone for a Dolphins team that overwhelmed opponents with physical, no-nonsense football and powered its way to back-to-back Super Bowl titles in VII and VIII.
Csonka’s defining moment came in Super Bowl VIII against the Minnesota Vikings, when the lights were brightest and the stakes were highest. He delivered a performance for the ages, rushing for a then-record 145 yards and two touchdowns, earning Super Bowl MVP honors in the process. Simply put, when the moment demanded toughness and reliability, Csonka answered — cementing his legacy as one of the clutchest tailbacks to ever play the game.
David Tyree – Giants
You might not know his name at first, but you definitely remember his catch in Super Bowl XLII to beat the Patriots. Known as one of the most memorable plays in NFL history, QB Eli Manning somehow escaped multiple tackles, bounced to his right, and threw a prayer down the field. Known as the “Helmet Catch”, Tyree managed to trap the ball to his helmet, trying to retain possession as he went to the ground.
The pick-up of 32 yards kept the possession alive, leading to a go-ahead touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress with 35 seconds left, securing a Giants 17-14 victory. The loss handed Tom Brady and Bill Belichick one of just two Super Bowl losses together, with the other one coming from New York again four years later.
