The Super Bowl is a chance for NFL players to shine on the biggest stage. With the nation tuning in, it’s not always the biggest stars who make some of the most memorable plays. The University of Toledo has a long tradition of professional football players, but only a select few have gotten to play in a Super Bowl, and even fewer have made a big play on the sport’s biggest platform. With that in mind, here are the top three plays by a Toledo player in the Super Bowl.
1. Curtis Johnson intercepts Fran Tarkenton in Super Bowl VIII
Johnson was part of the Miami Dolphins’ “No-Name-Defense” in 1973, but made his name known by intercepting Minnesota Vikings Hall of Fame quarterback Tarkenton in Super Bowl VIII, which the Dolphins went on to win 24-7.
Johnson starred at Waite High School and then played for Toledo's undefeated 1969 team. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 1970 NFL draft by the Dolphins and carved out a nine-year professional career, all with Miami.
Johnson started at cornerback for the Dolphins immediately in 1970 and played in 111 career games in his nine seasons. He was part of the 1972 undefeated Miami team. He played in three Super Bowls and won two of them.
2. Kelly Herndon intercepts Ben Roethlisberger in Super Bowl XL
The Steelers had the ball at the 7-yard line looking to add to their 14-3 lead over the Seattle Seahawks. Roethlisberger looked to his right for an out-breaking route and Herndon stepped in front and intercepted the ball at about the 4-yard line. Herndon raced down the left sideline, but ran out of gas at about the 20-yard line and was tackled. It ended up being a 76-yard interception return, which was a Super Bowl record at the time.
Herndon started his NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers in 1999, but didn't appear in an NFL game until 2002 with the Denver Broncos. Herndon played on the Seahawks in 2005 and 2006 before finishing his career with the Tennessee Titans in 2007.
At Toledo, Herndon had four interceptions for 81 yards in 23 games played from 1997-98.
3. Lance Moore 2-point conversion in Super Bowl XLIV
With the New Orleans Saints leading the Indianapolis Colts 22-17, they decided to go for a 2-point conversion to get a touchdown lead. On the try, Drew Brees found Moore breaking to the right side of the end zone. Moore extended, caught the ball, and reached the ball over the goal line. He eventually lost control of the ball and the play was originally ruled incomplete. New Orleans challenged the play, though, and the call was reversed.
Moore played in the NFL for 11 seasons, nine of which were with the Saints. From 2005-2013, he was with New Orleans before joining the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2014 and the Detroit Lions in 2015. He had 389 catches for 4,816 yards and 44 touchdowns in his career.
At Toledo, Moore had 2,776 receiving yards and 25 touchdowns in his four years and also added two punt return touchdowns. In the 2004 Mid-American Championship game, Moore caught three touchdown passes from UT quarterback Bruce Gradkowski in the Rockets' win over Miami. Moore was twice named first-team All-MAC at Toledo.
First Published February 1, 2020, 6:55 p.m.
