North Dakotans That Have Played in the Super Bowl

Two teams, comprised of players from across the country, will battle for the Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl XLIX, yet none of those players grew up in North Dakota.

In the history of the Super Bowl, only two born-and-raised North Dakotans have played in 'the big game': former Buffalo Bills defensive end Phil Hansen and former Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Mark Slater.

Born in Ellendale, Hansen played 11 seasons for the Buffalo Bills and played in three straight Super Bowls during his tenure. Unfortunately for Hansen, the Bills were unable to secure the Lombardi Trophy in any of his appearances.

Slater, born in Crosby, spent six seasons in the NFL and reached the Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1980.

While it's a bit disappointing that only two born-and-raised North Dakotans have played in the Super Bowl, the state's colleges have actually sent quite a few players.

The University of North Dakota has sent five players to the Super Bowl, with the most recent being Chris Kuper of the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII. Dave Osborn, Errol Mann, Jim LeClair, and Monte Smith also played in Super Bowls during their NFL careers, according to UNDSports.com.

As for North Dakota State University, besides Hansen, the Bison have sent multiple players to the Super Bowl, including Stacy Robinson, who won two Super Bowl rings with the New York Giants in the late 80's and early 90's, and safety Tyrone Braxton, who played in four Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos, winning two, in the 90's. Craig Dahl, currently on the San Francisco 49ers roster, also won a Super Bowl ring with the New York Giants at Super Bowl XLII.