Wake Forest Athletics

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Deacs in the Pros: Wake and the Super Bowl
1/31/2020 4:05:00 PM | Football
In total, former Wake Forest players have combined to make 25 appearances in the Super Bowl, hoisting 12 Lombardi Trophies
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest and the Super Bowl have a long and rich history.
Former Demon Deacons have combined to make 25 appearances in the game, starting in Super Bowl III with Bob Grant suiting up for the Baltimore Colts. After falling to Joe Namath and the New York Jets in 1969, Grant and the Colts would be back two years later.
This time, Grant and the Colts hoisted the newly renamed trophy, the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Grant helped set the standard for future Demon Deacons. In total, Wake Forest players have claimed 12 Super Bowl titles including most recently at Super Bowl 50.
Defensive back Josh Bush made a made multiple key plays for the Denver Broncos in their 24-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers.
On the opposite side of the field from Bush stood a former Deac great in Panthers' wide receiver coach Ricky Proehl.
No former Wake Forest player has made more appearances in the Super Bowl than Proehl. The Deac made four trips in total with three different organizations. He caught key touchdown passes in Super Bowl XXXVI and XXXVIII. Both touchdowns tied the game with under 1:30 to play in the game
Proehl, a 16-year NFL veteran, closed out his career with his second Super Bowl title, helping the Indianapolis Colts win, 29-17, over the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI.
#DeacsToThePros
Last Saturday, rounded out the college all-star games as a pair of Deacs competed in the illustrious Senior Bowl.
Defensive back Essang Bassey and offensive lineman Justin Herron both helped the North team to a 34-17 victory in Mobile, Ala.
In all six players competed in three separate college all-star games.
Wake Forest players will now wait to receive their invitations to the upcoming NFL Combine.
The annual event held in Indianapolis runs from Feb. 23 to March 2.
GoDeacs.com will continue to follow former Wake Forest players as they take their next step into the pros. Follow along right here on GoDeacs.com or by following along on our Twitter (@WakeFB), Instagram (wakefootball) and Facebook (WakeForestFootball) channels.
To join the conversation, use the hashtags #DeacsToThePros, #WakeForever and #GoDeacs.
Pro Deacs
Three former Demon Deacons have inked contacts with the newly formed XFL.
Nikita Whitlock and Josh Banks will be side-by-side as the defensive tackles are set to play for the Tampa Bay Vipers.
On the offensive side of the ball, running back Matt Colburn II will play for the New York Guardians.
The three former Demon Deacons will square off against each other in week one when the Guardians host the Vipers.
The game is scheduled for Feb. 9 at 2 p.m. and can be seen on FOX.
Former Demon Deacons have combined to make 25 appearances in the game, starting in Super Bowl III with Bob Grant suiting up for the Baltimore Colts. After falling to Joe Namath and the New York Jets in 1969, Grant and the Colts would be back two years later.
This time, Grant and the Colts hoisted the newly renamed trophy, the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Grant helped set the standard for future Demon Deacons. In total, Wake Forest players have claimed 12 Super Bowl titles including most recently at Super Bowl 50.
Defensive back Josh Bush made a made multiple key plays for the Denver Broncos in their 24-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers.
Wake ➡️ #SuperBowl: Josh Bush
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) January 30, 2020
🏆Super Bowl 50 Champion🏆#WakeForever | #ProDeacs pic.twitter.com/6RwuB7UpYB
On the opposite side of the field from Bush stood a former Deac great in Panthers' wide receiver coach Ricky Proehl.
No former Wake Forest player has made more appearances in the Super Bowl than Proehl. The Deac made four trips in total with three different organizations. He caught key touchdown passes in Super Bowl XXXVI and XXXVIII. Both touchdowns tied the game with under 1:30 to play in the game
Proehl, a 16-year NFL veteran, closed out his career with his second Super Bowl title, helping the Indianapolis Colts win, 29-17, over the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI.
#DeacsToThePros
Last Saturday, rounded out the college all-star games as a pair of Deacs competed in the illustrious Senior Bowl.
Defensive back Essang Bassey and offensive lineman Justin Herron both helped the North team to a 34-17 victory in Mobile, Ala.
Make the most of the moment.
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) January 25, 2020
📍: Senior Bowl
📺: NFL Network#WakeForever | #GoDeacs pic.twitter.com/ETjy6bUtlz
In all six players competed in three separate college all-star games.
Wake Forest players will now wait to receive their invitations to the upcoming NFL Combine.
The annual event held in Indianapolis runs from Feb. 23 to March 2.
GoDeacs.com will continue to follow former Wake Forest players as they take their next step into the pros. Follow along right here on GoDeacs.com or by following along on our Twitter (@WakeFB), Instagram (wakefootball) and Facebook (WakeForestFootball) channels.
To join the conversation, use the hashtags #DeacsToThePros, #WakeForever and #GoDeacs.
Pro Deacs
Three former Demon Deacons have inked contacts with the newly formed XFL.
Nikita Whitlock and Josh Banks will be side-by-side as the defensive tackles are set to play for the Tampa Bay Vipers.
On the offensive side of the ball, running back Matt Colburn II will play for the New York Guardians.
Congrats to our three Deacs named to XFL Rosters:
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) January 27, 2020
🎩 Nikita Whitlock
🎩 Josh Banks
🎩 Matt Colburn II#WakeForever | #GoDeacs pic.twitter.com/ekDwB6CVsK
The three former Demon Deacons will square off against each other in week one when the Guardians host the Vipers.
The game is scheduled for Feb. 9 at 2 p.m. and can be seen on FOX.
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