NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Middle Tennessee will be represented at Super Bowl LIX this Sunday, with several players having started their careers at local universities.
Eagle’s fullback Khari Blasingame attended Vanderbilt University from 2014 to 2018, where he started 13 games for the Commodores in his first year, according to Vanderbilt University Athletics. After an eventful football career at Vandy, Blasingame was signed by the Minnesota Vikings for a short time in 2019 before moving on to the Tennessee Titans from 2019 to 2021. He then joined the Chicago Bears from 2022 to 2024 before being signed by the Eagles in 2024.
Also a Vanderbilt alum, Eagles linebacker Oren Burks played for the Commodores from 2013 to 2017, according to VU Athletics. In 2018, Burks signed with the Green Bay Packers, where he remained until 2021. He then joined the San Francisco 49ers from 2022 to 2023 before signing with the Eagles in March 2024.
Finally, Eagles safety Reed Blankenship attended Middle Tennessee State University from 2017 to 2021, where he was on the starting lineup for every Blue Raiders football game of his last two seasons, according to MTSU Athletics. Blankenship was signed by the Eagles in 2022 as an undrafted free agent and plays as a starting safety for the team.
In addition to Blasingame, two other former Titans are participating in this Super Bowl Sunday.
Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown is making another appearance in the big game following his last Super Bowl with the team in 2023. Brown played for the Titans from 2019 to 2021.
Former Titan DeAndre Hopkins will play in Super Bowl LIX as a wide receiver for the Chiefs, just months after being traded to the team. Sunday will be Hopkins’ first Super Bowl appearance, coming 12 years after he began his NFL career.
Tennessee athletes were also present in last year’s Super Bowl LVIII, with nine players from both teams representing the state.
The Kansas City Chiefs will play the Philadelphia Eagles at Caesars Superdome at 5:30 p.m. CST Sunday, Feb. 9.