Gators in the NFL: Super Bowl LIX Recap
Monday, February 10, 2025 | Football
Former Gators C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Fred Johnson became Super Bowl champions last night
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Former Gators C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Fred Johnson both earned their first rings last night as members of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Each week of the season, FloridaGators.com will cover all of the best moments from the NFL stars who made a name for themselves in Gainesville. Here is how the Orange and Blue fared on the sports biggest stage:
Congrats to our Gators for winning the Super Bowl! 🐊#GatorMade | #GoGators pic.twitter.com/ObnwKbuzAx
— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) February 10, 2025
Gator Game Highlights
The Gators had two starters yesterday with Gardner-Johnson starting at safety for the Eagles and Jawaan Taylor starting at right tackle for the Chiefs.
The best Gator moment came when Gardner-Johnson picked off Patrick Mahomes at the 1-yard line before going the other way for a 99-yard int return to the endzone. The only issue was that the play didn't count due to an offsides penatly prior to the snap.
C. J. Gardner-Johnson wanted that one. 😂#SBLIX pic.twitter.com/YmsFZKS8Rc
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) February 10, 2025
Neverless, Gardner-Johnson's prescence was felt all over the field, playing 93% of the Eagles defensive snaps (second most) and recording three tackles (one solo).
Long Awaited Rings
The wait has been long and the journey difficult, but Gardner-Johnson and Johnson finally got their moment on stage. The duo had a combined three Super Bowl appearances before last night, and both were on the Eagles roster two seasons ago when they fell to the Chiefs. The Gators have now been a part of 26 Super Bowl-winning teams.
The Man Behind the Plan
The Gators connections to the Eagles goes further than just the two players, Philly general manager Howie Roseman is also a Gator. Roseman earned his bachelor's degree from UF as a member of the class of '97, three years before starting his first job with the Eagles as a salary cap consultant.
Roseman worked his way up the ranks before becoming the youngest general manager of an NFL team, taking over the Eagles front office operations in 2010. Since then he has led the Eagles to three Super Bowl apperances, winning it all in 2018 and 2025 (LII, LIX). The 49-year-old has also been named NFL executive of the year twice, just the fourth GM to win the prestigious award multiple times.
The Streak Continues
For the fourth consecutive year two or more former Gators have won the Super Bowl, the longest such streak in school school history.
| Super Bowl LVI | Los Angeles Rams: Van Jefferson (WR) |
| Super Bowl LVI | Los Angeles Rams: Brandon Powell (WR) |
| Super Bowl LVII | Kansas City Chiefs: Tommy Townsend (P) |
| Super Bowl LVII | Kansas City Chiefs: Kadarius Toney (WR) |
| Super Bowl LVII | Kansas City Chiefs: Carlos Dunlap (DL) |
| Super Bowl LVIII | Kansas City Chiefs: Tommy Townsend (P) |
| Super Bowl LVIII | Kansas City Chiefs: Kadarius Toney (WR) |
| Super Bowl LVIII | Kansas City Chiefs: Jawaan Taylor (OL) |
| Super Bowl LVIII | Kansas City Chiefs: La'Mical Perine (RB) |
| Super Bowl LVIII | Kansas City Chiefs: Trey Dean* (DB) |
| Super Bowl LIX | Philadelphia Eagles: C.J. Gardner-Johnson (DB) |
| Super Bowl LIX | Philadelphia Eagles: Fred Johnson (OL) |
Follow Gators Football on Socials:
X: @GatorsFB
Instagram: @GatorsFB
Facebook: @GatorsFB
Join the Conversation: #GoGators
