Pair of former Georgia Bulldogs win another Super Bowl

Mecole Hardman, Malik Herring win their third Super Bowl with the Chiefs

The 2024 Super Bowl title went to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night, securing their second consecutive Lombardi Trophy with a 25-22 overtime win against the San Francisco 49ers.

Former Georgia wide receiver Mecole Hardman played a crucial role in the game’s final play. Patrick Mahomes, the game’s MVP, connected with Hardman for a 3-yard pass, resulting in a touchdown that sealed their victory in overtime. This marked Hardman’s third Super Bowl win in five seasons, and it was a well-deserved moment for him after some inconsistent performances in the playoffs.

Hardman finished the game with three catches for 57 yards, the second highest on the team, and the game-winning touchdown. Hardman is set to become a free agent in the upcoming offseason.

Another former Bulldog, Malik Herring, who was a defensive lineman at UGA, also celebrated his third Super Bowl win as a member of the Chiefs. Herring finished the game with one tackle.

On the flip side, Chris Conley, Charlie Woerner, and Robert Beal Jr., all former Bulldogs, narrowly missed out on claiming the Lombardi Trophy. Conley finished the game with one catch for 18 yards and made several impact plays on special teams, including two tackles. Woerner also made a tackle on special teams.

Georgia has had a Bulldog in the Super Bowl for 23 consecutive years.

Social media reacts to Mecole Hardman’s game-winning Super Bowl TD

Social media reacts to former Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Mecole Hardman scoring the game-winning Super Bowl touchdown

Former Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Mecole Hardman scored a game-winning touchdown reception to end Super Bowl 58. Hardman’s touchdown clinched the Kansas City Chiefs’ 25-22 Super Bowl win over the San Francisco 49ers. The Chiefs are the first team in 20 years to win back-to-back Super Bowls.

Mecole Hardman scored a three-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Patrick Mahomes to end overtime. Hardman finished the Super Bowl with three receptions for 57 yards and a clutch touchdown.

Mecole Hardman has now won three Super Bowls in his NFL career, all with the Kansas City Chiefs. Mecole Hardman went in motion on the game’s final play and generated a bunch of separation to make it an easy throw for Patrick Mahomes.

Social media was hyped after Mecole Hardman’s epic touchdown catch helped the Kansas City Chiefs win the second overtime game in Super Bowl history!

Two Georgia Bulldogs named among best players in Super Bowl history

Former Georgia Bulldog Hines Ward snubbed from the list of greatest Super Bowl players of all-time

Former Georgia Bulldogs running back Terrell Davis and defensive back Jake Scott are ranked among the best all-time players in Super Bowl history. Nate Davis of USA TODAY writes that Davis is the No. 9 player in Super Bowl history.

In what was arguably the greatest Super Bowl effort by a tailback, he ran for 157 yards and a record-tying three TDs – while combating a migraine – on his way to Super Bowl 32 MVP honors as the Denver Broncos won their first title.

The former Georgia star played with the Bulldogs from 1992-1994. Terrell Davis won two Super Bowls. He followed up his outstanding performance in Super Bowl 32 with another gem in Super Bowl 33.

Davis added 102 rushing yards and 50 more receiving when Denver repeated the next year.

Terrell Davis is the second-ranked running back on the list behind Dallas Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith.

Former Miami Dolphins star defensive back Jake Scott was named as the No. 30 all-time player in Super Bowl history. Scott won a pair of Super Bowls. He was named MVP of the 1972 Miami Dolphins, who are the only undefeated team to ever win the Super Bowl.

His pair of interceptions, including the game-clincher, put a bow on the Dolphins’ perfect season and brought him Super Bowl 7’s MVP. Scott got another ring the following year, recovering a pair of Minnesota Vikings fumbles. He also handled kickoff and punt returns for Miami.

Scott finished his NFL career with 49 career interceptions.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward should be on the list of the greatest Super Bowl performers. Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY

The list snubs former Georgia Bulldogs Hines Ward, who was named as the MVP of Super Bowl 40. Ward played in three Super Bowls in his career, winning two. The former Pittsburgh Steelers legend racked up 14 catches for 244 total yards and two touchdowns in his three career Super Bowl games. Ward is part of Georgia’s current 23-year streak of having at least one former Bulldog in the Super Bowl.

Pair of former UGA coaches nominated for NFL assistant coach of the year award

Pair of former Georgia football coaches nominated for prestigious NFL assistant coach of the year award

Two former Georgia football coaches have been nominated to win the AP Assistant Coach of the Year award.

Former Georgia offensive coordinator Todd Monken called a lot of great games throughout the 2023 NFL season. Monken, who is the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive coordinator, helped star quarterback Lamar Jackson put together a MVP season before the Ravens lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game.

Additionally, Baltimore’s defensive coordinator, Mike Macdonald, coached at Georgia from 2010-2013 under Mark Richt. The Ravens had one of the best defenses in the NFL. Baltimore had a great defensive performance to hold Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs to 17 points in the AFC title game.

Monken and Macdonald are two of five nominees to win the AP Assistant Coach of the Year award. They join Houston Texans offensive coordinator, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, and Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz as the five nominees.

The NFL Honors take place on Feb. 8 at 9:00 p.m. ET in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James Cook takes shot at playoff committee for Georgia snub, blames Saban

One former Bulldog blamed Nick Saban for CFP snub.

Buffalo Bills running back and former Georgia Bulldog James Cook did not hold back when asked about his alma mater being left out of this year’s College Football Playoff.  “I think they didn’t want to see us go back-to-back,” James told Sports Seriously’s Mackenzie Salmon, referring to the playoff committee.  

James, who won a national title with the Bulldogs in 2021, then took it a step further, conspiring that the snub had something to do with a particular Alabama head coach who recently called it a career.  

“I just feel like they knew that Nick Saban was gonna retire so they tried to sneak him in,” said James, adding that Alabama getting the nod “ain’t real, like, it’s fake.”

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While there’s surely going to be some Crimson Tide fans who don’t agree with Cook’s position, he does bolster his point when he refers back to Georgia’s last title run.

“We lost one game to Alabama in the SEC Championship and haven’t been beaten the whole season. It was like the same scenario my last year in college. We won every game and lost to Alabama in the SEC Championship, but we still got in and then went on and won it all.”

James and the rest of Bulldog Nation will just have to live with not knowing what could have been, and with the playoff expanding next year, we surely won’t be seeing any more of these scenarios play out.  

Still though, that’s not going to be any consolation for Cook who stuck to his guns saying, “If Georgia was in the playoff, we win it all.”

Former Georgia OLB has chance to win third straight championship

Former UGA football outside linebacker has a chance to win a third straight championship after winning national titles in 2021 and 2022

Former Georgia Bulldogs outside linebacker Robert Beal has a chance to win a third straight championship in Super Bowl 58. Beal won national championships with Georgia football during the 2021 and 2022 college football seasons. Now, he will have a chance to win a title with the San Francisco 49ers following the 2023 NFL regular season.

Beal is having a solid rookie season for the 49ers, who will face the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl. Beal was the No. 173 pick in the 2023 NFL draft (fifth-round). The 49ers really valued his ability to quickly accelerate following the snap.

Beal is one of five former Georgia Bulldogs set to play in the Super Bowl. San Fransisco 49ers tight end Charlie Woerner and wide receiver Chris Conley are the former Dawgs representing the NFC in the Super Bowl. Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman and defensive end Malik Herring are former Bulldogs representing the AFC.

Robert Beal probably won’t see many snaps in the Super Bowl. Beal recorded five tackles and a sack as a rookie. He saw most of his action late in the season, but has not played much in the postseason.

Former Georgia RB Thomas Brown accepts job with Chicago Bears

Former Georgia football running back Thomas Brown accepts coaching role with the Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears are hiring former Georgia Bulldogs running back Thomas Brown to be their passing game coordinator. Brown will serve as the Bears’ passing game coordinator under offensive coordinator Shane Waldron.

Brown was the offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers in 2023. He was the Panthers’ play-caller for a portion (primarily the second-half of the season) of Carolina’s brutal 2-15 season. Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich was fired midway through the season. Thomas Brown helped keep the Panthers’ offense intact after Reich’s departure.

Now, Thomas Brown will likely have the opportunity to coach the projected No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL draft in USC quarterback Caleb Williams. The Bears have a lot of assets and should have an improved offense in 2024. Chicago also interviewed Brown for their offensive coordinator role.

Brown served as an offensive assistant with the Los Angeles Rams under Sean McVay before becoming Carolina’s offensive coordinator. He is highly respected throughout the NFL.

Thomas Brown is not the former Dawg to be part of the NFL’s coaching carousel. Former Georgia Bulldogs assistant Mike Macdonald is now the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks. Macdonald helped the Baltimore Ravens make an AFC championship appearance as the Ravens’ defensive coordinator.

Former Georgia assistant named Seattle Seahawks head coach

Former Georgia assistant named Seattle Seahawks head coach

Former Georgia football assistant and UGA graduate, Mike Macdonald, accepted the head coaching role for the Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday. Macdonald replaces Pete Carrol, who coached the Seahawks for 14 seasons.

Macdonald’s rise to NFL prominence has been remarkable. He has just six NFL seasons under his belt, most recently as defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens for two seasons. Macdonald is now the NFL’s youngest head coach at age 36.

The Boston native graduated from Centennial High School in Roswell, Ga., before attending the University of Georgia. While a student at UGA, Macdonald coached Cedar Shoals High School. He joined the Bulldogs as a graduate assistant in 2008 and spent the next six seasons on Georgia’s staff.

Macdonald joined John Harbaugh’s staff in Baltimore as an intern in 2014 and worked his way up to linebackers coach in 2020 before joining Jim Harbaugh’s staff at Michigan as defensive coordinator. He was on staff when the Bulldogs beat the Wolverines in the 2021 Orange Bowl.

Macdonald then joined the Ravens to the lead a talented Baltimore defense in 2022. His group led the NFL in total defense in 2023, which made Macdonald an intriguing candidate for the Seahawks.

 

 

 

A pair of former Georgia Bulldogs named finalists for NFL awards

Two former Georgia Bulldogs named finalists for NFL awards

Former Georgia Bulldogs Matthew Stafford and Jalen Carter are finalists for a couple of marquee NFL awards after impressive 2023 seasons.

Stafford is up for Comeback Player of the Year after leading the Los Angeles Rams to a wild-card round appearance, ultimately losing 27-24 to the Detroit Lions.

The former Georgia quarterback had a injury-plagued season in 2022 that limited him to only nine games. There were talks of retirement for the veteran, but his 15th NFL season proved he still has plenty of gas left in the tank.

Stafford finished 11th in the league in passing yards (3,965), tied for 11th in touchdowns (24), ranked 10th in interceptions (11) and posted a 63.7 QBR, good enough for sixth in the NFL.

Carter is a finalist for Defensive Rookie of the Year after an outstanding first year with the Philadelphia Eagles, who ultimately lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 32-9 in the wild-card round.

Carter continued his high level of play that we witnessed for three years in Athens. Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded rookie racked up 33 tackles, six sacks, 43 quarterback pressures, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and a blocked kick.

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Winners will be announced at the NFL Honors on Feb. 8 at 9 p.m. ET. The show will air on CBS and the NFL Network and will be available to stream on Paramount+ and NFL+.

Rams QB Matthew Stafford named as finalist for prestigious award

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford nominated for prestigious award after a strong 2023 NFL season

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is a contender to win the AP Comeback Player of the Year award. Stafford, who was the first pick in the 2009 NFL draft, played college football at Georgia from 2006-2008.

Matthew Stafford showed toughness and grit throughout this NFL season and especially in the wild-card round against the Detroit Lions. Stafford returned to form after struggling through injuries in 2022. Stafford threw for 10 touchdowns, eight interceptions, and 2,087 passing yards in 2022, which was one of the worst seasons of his career. Stafford and the Rams were off the mark in 2022 after winning the Super Bowl the previous season.

This year, Matthew Stafford bounced back and threw for 3,965 yards and 24 touchdowns. Stafford helped Los Angeles make the NFL playoffs and was selected to the Pro Bowl after an outstanding 2023 season.

Stafford is one of five nominees to win the AP Comeback Player of the Year award. He joins Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield.

The NFL Honors take place on Feb. 8 at 9:00 p.m. ET in Las Vegas, Nevada.