Which local NFL players have played in Super Bowls?

By Bret McCormick

Updated February 5, 2018 7:43 AM

South Pointe’s Stephon Gilmore left Buffalo in free agency last offseason in the pursuit of Super Bowls. He has the chance to win one Sunday with the New England Patriots. AP file photo

South Pointe grad Stephon Gilmore will become the third NFL player from Rock Hill to play in a Super Bowl on Sunday.

Gilmore’s full-length pass breakup late in the AFC championship game against Jacksonville clinched the Patriots’ spot in this season’s Super Bowl. He’ll face former University of South Carolina roommate Alshon Jeffrey and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Eight players from The Herald’s coverage area of York, Chester and Lancaster counties have played in either the Super Bowl or the NFL championship game.

Learn more about Gilmore’s local predecessors:

Marion Campbell, Philadelphia Eagles

Before there was the Super Bowl, the NFL still had to decide its champion. The Philadelphia Eagles won the 1960 NFL championship game, beating Green Bay 17-13 with Chester’s Marion Campbell starting at right defensive end. Campbell was also selected to the Pro Bowl that season.

Tom Addison, Boston Patriots

Lancaster’s Tom Addison played in an AFL championship game prior to the league combining with the NFL and the advent of the Super Bowl. Unfortunately for Addison, his Boston Patriots were smashed 51-10 by the San Diego Chargers in the 1964 title game. Addison, who played eight years of pro football, started at linebacker.

Jim Duncan, Baltimore Colts, Super Bowl V

Duncan, who graduated from Lancaster’s Barr Street School, started at cornerback for the 1970 Baltimore Colts during Super Bowl V. He fumbled a kickoff return in the second half of the game, but recovered a fumble late that helped the Colts knock off Dallas 16-13 in Jan. 1971.

Chris Hope, Pittsburgh Steelers, Super Bowl XL

The former Rock Hill Bearcat was a stalwart starter at safety alongside Troy Polamalu for the 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers, making 69 tackles and intercepting three passes in leading them to Super Bowl XL against the Seattle Seahawks in early 2006. The Steelers won that game 21-10.

Rock Hill High’s Chris Hope received a golden football from the NFL for playing in a Super Bowl. Herald file photo

Maurice Morris, Seattle Seahawks, Super Bowl XL

Another local from the Rock Hill area, former Chester Cyclone Maurice Morris, played in Super Bowl XL. Morris caught one pass for six yards during the Seahawks’ loss to the Steelers.

Sheldon Brown, Philadelphia Eagles, Super Bowl XXXIX

Brown, the former Lewisville Lions great, started at cornerback for the Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX, held in February, 2005. New England beat the Eagles 24-21 in a tight game.

Benjamin Watson, New England Patriots, Super Bowls XXXIX and XLII

The former Northwestern Trojan was involved in two Super Bowls, but in very limited action.

He was a rookie when the Patriots beat Philadelphia in Super Bowl XXXIX. Watson played in just one game during the 2004 season because of injury but still received a Super Bowl ring.

In Super Bowl XLII (2008), Watson started at tight end but was targeted just once as the previously undefeated Patriots fell to New York 17-14.

Vance Walker, Denver Broncos, Super Bowl 50

Walker, who graduated from Fort Mill High, played on the Broncos’ defensive line in Super Bowl 50. Denver beat the Carolina Panthers 24-10 and Walker made a tackle.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) takes off past Denver Broncos defensive end Vance Walker (96) in the first half of Super Bowl 50. The Denver Broncos won, 24-10, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA on Sunday, February 7, 2016. Walker, the former Fort Mill Yellow Jacket, made one tackle in the game. David T. Foster III dtfoster@charlotteobserver.com

This story was originally published February 2, 2018 at 1:52 PM with the headline "Which local NFL players have played in Super Bowls?."