John Wolford and Rams Win Super Bowl LVI
2/13/2022 10:56:00 PM | Football
This marks the second Super Bowl Championship in franchise history and the first for a Demon Deacon player since Super Bowl 50.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Former Wake Forest quarterback John Wolford and the Los Angeles Rams captured the Super Bowl LVI trophy, defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 Sunday.
This marks the second time in the franchise's history they have taken home the Super Bowl, winning the title in their home stadium. Demon Deacons have been on both Rams Super Bowl winning squads with wide receiver Ricky Proehl and defensive end Jay Williams on the Super Bowl XXXIV team.
Wolford, who is in his second season with the franchise, served as the backup quarterback for the Rams the last two seasons, making his first start in the 2021 playoff clincher while also starting in the NFL Wild Card Playoff win a season ago.
Despite the loss, former Wake Forest defensive back Jessie Bates III made one of the plays of the game, intercepting Matthew Stafford in the back corner of the endzone right before the end of the first half.
Best safety in the NFL, @jlbiii3 😤#SuperBowl | #ProDeacs 🎩 pic.twitter.com/lZVAPAdfyt
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) February 14, 2022
In addition to the interception, he also tallied six tackles including three solo tackles.
This was just the second trip to the Super Bowl for the Cincinnati Bengals and Bates III played a key role in the franchise's development. Bates is in his fourth season with the Bengals and his first as a team captain. In each of the four seasons, he has recorded 100-plus tackles and three or more interceptions.
His interception in the Super Bowl was the second of the playoffs, picking off Ryan Tannehill in the Divisional Round victory over the Tennessee Titans. He also made a in the AFC Championship game in overtime as his pass defelction helped force the game-winning interception to send the Bengals to Super Bowl LVI.
AFC Championship ticket punched 🏆
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) January 23, 2022
🎩 @jlbiii3 pic.twitter.com/vLVZpUDDsD
Former Wake Forest wide receiver Scotty Washington was also in Los Angeles as a part of the Bengals practice squad. He made the transition from wide receiver to tight end this season.
All three players were key parts of the 2016 Military Bowl and 2017 Belk Bowl Championship squads.
Ready to crown a champion 🏆#ProDeacs 🎩 pic.twitter.com/sKlPBtS0lS
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) February 13, 2022
Wake Forest Super Bowl Champions
|
Bill Ard (1) |
New York Giants |
XXI |
|
Ed Bradley (2) |
Pittsburgh Steelers |
IX, X |
|
Josh Bush (1) |
Denver Broncos |
50 |
|
Jim Clack (2) |
Pittsburgh Steelers |
IX, X |
|
George Coghill (2) |
Denver Broncos |
XXXII, XXXIII |
|
Michael McCrary (1) |
Baltimore Ravens |
XXXV |
|
Ricky Proehl (2) |
St. Louis Rams, Indianapolis Colts |
XXXIV, XLI |
|
Fred Robbins (1) |
New York Giants |
XLII |
|
Jay Williams (1) |
St. Louis Rams |
XXXIV |
|
John Wolford (1) |
Los Angeles Rams |
LVI |
