Vols in the Pros: NFL championship weekend
There will be six former Vols football players competing for a chance to play in Super Bowl 50 this weekend.
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As the NFL season draws closer to an end, there is still a handful of former Vols playing.
As conference championship weekend hits, there are six Vols vying for a shot at a trip to Super Bowl 50. The only team not featuring a former Tennessee football player is the Arizona Cardinals.
AFC Championship: New England Patriots at Denver Broncos
Five VFL’s in action
This game may be highlighted by Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady for the 17th time. However, for the University of Tennessee football family, it is bigger than that. The game features five former Vols, most notably Peyton Manning. The Broncos also have former Vols, Britton Colquitt and Malik Jackson.
Manning will be playing for his fourth trip to the Super Bowl and as every Vol fan hates to admit, it could be his last. Jackson and Colquitt are playing for their second trip to the Super Bowl.
Manning led the Indianapolis Colts to a Super Bowl XLI win over the Chicago Bears in 2006. He also led the Colts back to the promised land in 2010, when the they lost to the New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl XLIV.
Manning’s third trip was in 2014 at Super Bowl XLVIII against the Seattle Seahawks – his second season in Denver. That was also the only trip for Jackson and Colquitt.
For the Patriots, Justin Coleman is looking for a trip to the Super Bowl in his first year in the NFL. Coleman originally signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted rookie free agent. He eventually found his way to the Pats and plays a major role in their defense.
*Eighth-year veteran linebacker Jerod Mayo is looking for his third trip to the Super Bowl. Mayo has had a disappointing career overall, after starting off as the 2008 NFL Defensive Rookie of The Year.
NFC Championship: Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers
One VFL in action
Chris Scott is in his fourth year in the NFL. He is a backup lineman for Carolina and has appeared in 13 games for the Panthers this season. Scott will be hoping for his first trip to the Super Bowl.
At the end of the weekend, one thing will be certain.
There will be at least two former Vols playing in Super Bowl 50, and there could be as many as four.
*Note: Mayo will not play, due to injury.
Edited by Cody McClure
Sam Forman is the lead sports staff writer for the Tennessee Journalist and is a senior studying Journalism and Electronic Media with a focus on sports broadcasting and reporting. He has been with TNJN since the fall of 2014. He is also a DJ for WUTK 90.3 fm. and a member of the Rock Solid Sports team. Sam has spent six years marching in the Pride of The Southland Marching Band. When he is not covering or talking sports, you can find him outdoors, playing music or hanging out with friends. You can find him on twitter: @samWforman
