The University of Florida will have a player on a Super Bowl roster for the ninth consecutive season. Rookie center Maurkice Pouncey and the Pittsburgh Steelers advanced to Super Bowl XLV Sunday night with a 24-19 victory over the New York Jets.
Overall, at least one Gator has appeared in 28 of the 45 Super Bowls ever played. Thirteen former Gators have combined to win 19 Super Bowl rings.
Pouncey, who was the second consecutive UF rookie to be named to the Pro Bowl, is the first Gator center since Jeff Mitchell to advance to the Super Bowl. Mitchell played for the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII.
The Lakeland, Fla. native has started every game of his rookie season for the Steelers, while also being named to the 2011 Pro Bowl. Pouncey is the first Steelers rookie to make the Pro Bowl since linebacker Kendrell Bell in 2001. Bell was also the last rookie to start every game.
