Eastern Michigan Athletics
All Eyes on Super Bowl LV: EMU's Wylie and O'Connor Set to Square Off
2/6/2021 11:33:00 AM | Football
The pair helped lead EMU to the 2016 Bahamas Bowl as seniors
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — For the second time in its history, the Eastern Michigan University Football program will have former players representing both teams battling to hoist the Lombardi trophy at the Super Bowl. This year's game is set to be played in Tampa, Fla. Sunday, Feb. 7.
A member of the American Football Conference Champion (AFC) Kansas City Chiefs, Andrew Wylie is set to make his second appearance on football's biggest stage, and his first as the team's starting right guard. Wylie is the ninth former Eastern Michigan University football player to take part in a Super Bowl, and the fourth to make multiple trips to the game. Wylie is already one of only six former Eastern Michigan players to capture a Super Bowl crown. If the Chiefs win, he will join a fraternity of just three others from EMU who have been part of multiple championship teams (John Banaszak - '75, '78, '79; Ron Johnson - '78, '79; Charlie Batch - '05, '08).
For Wylie, the journey to the top of the NFL has been a long, Hollywood-esque tale of hard work, dedication, and commitment.
Wylie was undrafted out of Eastern Michigan and bounced around four different teams before he finally found his home with the Chiefs. Wylie also had stints with the Indianapolis Colts and Cleveland Browns' practice squads to go along with his time with the Los Angeles Chargers and Chiefs.
The former EMU lineman signed with the Chiefs in December 2017 after being released by the Chargers practice squad. He was then signed to the Chiefs' active roster in January of 2018 and made his NFL debut in the following season.
Wylie made his first career start with KC against the Cincinnati Bengals and has started 21 of his 27 career NFL games.
The Midland, Mich. native started 11 games for Kansas City in 2019-20 to help it reach its first Super Bowl in 50 years. Unfortunately, Wylie battled an ankle injury and missed the last five games of the season, including the Super Bowl LIV matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, Feb. 2, 2020. This season, he has started all 14 games for the Chiefs.
At Eastern Michigan, Wylie was one of the anchors on the stellar EMU frontline as he earned 2016 Third Team All-MAC honors. He started all 13 games at right tackle, as the Eagles played in a postseason bowl for the first time in 29 years. He finished his career with 46 starts, which ranked fourth all-time at EMU, while his 47 appearances were tied for 12th all-time.
Wylie's 34-inch vertical at EMU's Pro Day would have ranked first for offensive linemen at the NFL Combine by two full inches. His 9-foot-7-inch broad jump would have tied for first, while his 4.5-second 20-yard shuttle would have ranked second.
Representing the National Football Conference Champion (NFC) Tampa Bay Buccaneers is Pat O'Connor. He will be the 10th former Eastern Michigan University football player to take part in a Super Bowl. A win for O'Connor would put him in the company of just six other former Eastern student-athletes that have captured a Super Bowl ring, a list that includes Wylie.
"Obviously, just having one former EMU football player at the Super Bowl is a big deal, but to have two, that is huge," said EMU Head Football Coach Chris Creighton. "We are so proud of the paths both of these men have followed. They embody everything that we teach our players to be: Hardworking, selfless, IMPACT men. They are great players, and better people. The entire Eastern Michigan program is filled with pride every day that we have people like Andrew and Pat representing us."
For O'Connor, the journey to the top of the NFL has been one defined by hard work and resilience.
Selected in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, O'Connor initially inked a four-year deal to play in the Motor City, but was later transitioned to the team's practice squad, and was ultimately released in Sept. 2017.
Following his stint with the Lions, O'Connor was signed to the Buccaneers practice squad, and was eventually promoted to Tampa Bay's active roster on November 29, 2017. Back with the practice unit in 2018, he signed a reserve/futures contract with the Bucs in December, 2018. O'Connor was re-promoted to the team's active roster on Sept. 24, 2019, and has remained in that position since. He recorded his first-career sack in Tampa Bay's 2019 Week 14 game against the Minnesota Vikings, against former Michigan State QB Kirk Cousins.
This season, O'Connor has contributed three tackles and a sack for the Buccaneers.
O'Connor, the 28th EMU player to be picked in the draft, was the team leader on a much improved defensive unit for EMU in 2016. In his final season, O'Connor set the EMU sack record since 1998 by getting to the quarterback 20.0 times in his career. In total on the season, the Chicago native sacked the QB a team-high 8.5 times, which was good for 41st in the country and fifth in the Mid-American Conference.
In addition, O'Connor had 42 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 16 QB hurries, and five forced fumbles, and was one of just 10 players in the nation with five or more forced fumbles that season. He finished his career as the games played leader, sack leader, QB hurries leader, and forced fumbles leader, while also finishing third on the tackles for loss list with 33.5.
At the conclusion of the 2016 season, O'Connor was recognized for his substantial efforts by being named to the MAC All-Conference First Team, as well as the first team on Phil Steele's Postseason All-MAC list. He also participated in the 2017 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, played in Carson, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 21.
Wylie and O'Connor's appearance in Super Bowl LV will mark the 15th and 16th time, respectively, that a former EMU player will compete in the NFL's biggest game.
The matchup marks the second time in which two former EMU players have faced each other (TJ Lang and Batch, '10). It will mark the third time in which multiple former Eastern student-athletes have played in the same Super Bowl (Banazak and Johnson - '78, '79).
Players in Super Bowl LV By School
6 - LSU
4 - Michigan, Iowa, Clemson
3 - Central Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Penn State, Texas A&M
2 - Eastern Michigan, Auburn, Colorado-Publeo, Connecticut, Florida, James Madison, Michigan State, Middle Tennessee, Missouri, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, Tulane, USF, Washington
EMU's Super Bowl Champions (10)
John Banaszak - Steelers - 1975 (Super Bowl X)
John Banaszak - Steelers - 1978 (Super Bowl XIII)
Ron Johnson - Steelers - 1978 (Super Bowl XIII)
John Banaszak - Steelers - 1979 (Super Bowl XIV)
Ron Johnson - Steelers - 1979 (Super Bowl XIV)
Lional Dalton - Ravens - 2001 (Super Bowl XXXV)
Charlie Batch - Steelers - 2005 (Super Bowl XL)
Charlie Batch - Steelers - 2008 (Super Bowl XLIII)
TJ Lang - Packers - 2010 (Super Bowl XLV)
Andrew Wylie - Chiefs - 2020 (Super Bowl LIV)
EMU's Super Bowl Appearances (16)
Dave Boone - Vikings - 1974 (Super Bowl IX)
John Banaszak - Steelers - 1975 (Super Bowl X)
John Banaszak - Steelers - 1978 (Super Bowl XIII)
Ron Johnson - Steelers - 1978 (Super Bowl XIII)
John Banaszak - Steelers - 1979 (Super Bowl XIV)
Ron Johnson - Steelers - 1979 (Super Bowl XIV)
Clarence Chapman - Bengals - 1981 (Super Bowl XVI)
Lional Dalton - Ravens - 2001 (Super Bowl XXXV)
Jason Short - Eagles - 2004 (Super Bowl XXXIX)
Charlie Batch - Steelers - 2005 (Super Bowl XL)
Charlie Batch - Steelers - 2008 (Super Bowl XLIII)
TJ Lang - Packers - 2010 (Super Bowl XLV)
Charlie Batch - Steelers - 2010 (Super Bowl XLV)
Andrew Wylie - Chiefs - 2020 (Super Bowl LIV)
Andrew Wylie - Chiefs - 2021 (Super Bowl LV)
Pat O'Connor - Buccaneers - 2021 (Super Bowl LV)
A member of the American Football Conference Champion (AFC) Kansas City Chiefs, Andrew Wylie is set to make his second appearance on football's biggest stage, and his first as the team's starting right guard. Wylie is the ninth former Eastern Michigan University football player to take part in a Super Bowl, and the fourth to make multiple trips to the game. Wylie is already one of only six former Eastern Michigan players to capture a Super Bowl crown. If the Chiefs win, he will join a fraternity of just three others from EMU who have been part of multiple championship teams (John Banaszak - '75, '78, '79; Ron Johnson - '78, '79; Charlie Batch - '05, '08).
For Wylie, the journey to the top of the NFL has been a long, Hollywood-esque tale of hard work, dedication, and commitment.
Wylie was undrafted out of Eastern Michigan and bounced around four different teams before he finally found his home with the Chiefs. Wylie also had stints with the Indianapolis Colts and Cleveland Browns' practice squads to go along with his time with the Los Angeles Chargers and Chiefs.
The former EMU lineman signed with the Chiefs in December 2017 after being released by the Chargers practice squad. He was then signed to the Chiefs' active roster in January of 2018 and made his NFL debut in the following season.
Wylie made his first career start with KC against the Cincinnati Bengals and has started 21 of his 27 career NFL games.
The Midland, Mich. native started 11 games for Kansas City in 2019-20 to help it reach its first Super Bowl in 50 years. Unfortunately, Wylie battled an ankle injury and missed the last five games of the season, including the Super Bowl LIV matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, Feb. 2, 2020. This season, he has started all 14 games for the Chiefs.
At Eastern Michigan, Wylie was one of the anchors on the stellar EMU frontline as he earned 2016 Third Team All-MAC honors. He started all 13 games at right tackle, as the Eagles played in a postseason bowl for the first time in 29 years. He finished his career with 46 starts, which ranked fourth all-time at EMU, while his 47 appearances were tied for 12th all-time.
Wylie's 34-inch vertical at EMU's Pro Day would have ranked first for offensive linemen at the NFL Combine by two full inches. His 9-foot-7-inch broad jump would have tied for first, while his 4.5-second 20-yard shuttle would have ranked second.
Representing the National Football Conference Champion (NFC) Tampa Bay Buccaneers is Pat O'Connor. He will be the 10th former Eastern Michigan University football player to take part in a Super Bowl. A win for O'Connor would put him in the company of just six other former Eastern student-athletes that have captured a Super Bowl ring, a list that includes Wylie.
"Obviously, just having one former EMU football player at the Super Bowl is a big deal, but to have two, that is huge," said EMU Head Football Coach Chris Creighton. "We are so proud of the paths both of these men have followed. They embody everything that we teach our players to be: Hardworking, selfless, IMPACT men. They are great players, and better people. The entire Eastern Michigan program is filled with pride every day that we have people like Andrew and Pat representing us."
For O'Connor, the journey to the top of the NFL has been one defined by hard work and resilience.
Selected in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, O'Connor initially inked a four-year deal to play in the Motor City, but was later transitioned to the team's practice squad, and was ultimately released in Sept. 2017.
Following his stint with the Lions, O'Connor was signed to the Buccaneers practice squad, and was eventually promoted to Tampa Bay's active roster on November 29, 2017. Back with the practice unit in 2018, he signed a reserve/futures contract with the Bucs in December, 2018. O'Connor was re-promoted to the team's active roster on Sept. 24, 2019, and has remained in that position since. He recorded his first-career sack in Tampa Bay's 2019 Week 14 game against the Minnesota Vikings, against former Michigan State QB Kirk Cousins.
This season, O'Connor has contributed three tackles and a sack for the Buccaneers.
O'Connor, the 28th EMU player to be picked in the draft, was the team leader on a much improved defensive unit for EMU in 2016. In his final season, O'Connor set the EMU sack record since 1998 by getting to the quarterback 20.0 times in his career. In total on the season, the Chicago native sacked the QB a team-high 8.5 times, which was good for 41st in the country and fifth in the Mid-American Conference.
In addition, O'Connor had 42 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 16 QB hurries, and five forced fumbles, and was one of just 10 players in the nation with five or more forced fumbles that season. He finished his career as the games played leader, sack leader, QB hurries leader, and forced fumbles leader, while also finishing third on the tackles for loss list with 33.5.
At the conclusion of the 2016 season, O'Connor was recognized for his substantial efforts by being named to the MAC All-Conference First Team, as well as the first team on Phil Steele's Postseason All-MAC list. He also participated in the 2017 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, played in Carson, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 21.
Wylie and O'Connor's appearance in Super Bowl LV will mark the 15th and 16th time, respectively, that a former EMU player will compete in the NFL's biggest game.
The matchup marks the second time in which two former EMU players have faced each other (TJ Lang and Batch, '10). It will mark the third time in which multiple former Eastern student-athletes have played in the same Super Bowl (Banazak and Johnson - '78, '79).
Players in Super Bowl LV By School
6 - LSU
4 - Michigan, Iowa, Clemson
3 - Central Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Penn State, Texas A&M
2 - Eastern Michigan, Auburn, Colorado-Publeo, Connecticut, Florida, James Madison, Michigan State, Middle Tennessee, Missouri, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, Tulane, USF, Washington
EMU's Super Bowl Champions (10)
John Banaszak - Steelers - 1975 (Super Bowl X)
John Banaszak - Steelers - 1978 (Super Bowl XIII)
Ron Johnson - Steelers - 1978 (Super Bowl XIII)
John Banaszak - Steelers - 1979 (Super Bowl XIV)
Ron Johnson - Steelers - 1979 (Super Bowl XIV)
Lional Dalton - Ravens - 2001 (Super Bowl XXXV)
Charlie Batch - Steelers - 2005 (Super Bowl XL)
Charlie Batch - Steelers - 2008 (Super Bowl XLIII)
TJ Lang - Packers - 2010 (Super Bowl XLV)
Andrew Wylie - Chiefs - 2020 (Super Bowl LIV)
EMU's Super Bowl Appearances (16)
Dave Boone - Vikings - 1974 (Super Bowl IX)
John Banaszak - Steelers - 1975 (Super Bowl X)
John Banaszak - Steelers - 1978 (Super Bowl XIII)
Ron Johnson - Steelers - 1978 (Super Bowl XIII)
John Banaszak - Steelers - 1979 (Super Bowl XIV)
Ron Johnson - Steelers - 1979 (Super Bowl XIV)
Clarence Chapman - Bengals - 1981 (Super Bowl XVI)
Lional Dalton - Ravens - 2001 (Super Bowl XXXV)
Jason Short - Eagles - 2004 (Super Bowl XXXIX)
Charlie Batch - Steelers - 2005 (Super Bowl XL)
Charlie Batch - Steelers - 2008 (Super Bowl XLIII)
TJ Lang - Packers - 2010 (Super Bowl XLV)
Charlie Batch - Steelers - 2010 (Super Bowl XLV)
Andrew Wylie - Chiefs - 2020 (Super Bowl LIV)
Andrew Wylie - Chiefs - 2021 (Super Bowl LV)
Pat O'Connor - Buccaneers - 2021 (Super Bowl LV)
Players Mentioned
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