2 Michigan Athletes Will Compete in Superbowl LI
Two New England Patriots players playing for the NFL championship wore maize & blue at University of Michigan.
Though neither are from Michigan, Tom Brady (San Mateo, California) and Alan Branch (Albuquerque, New Mexico) played their college football at "The Big House" in Ann Arbor, Michigan for the Wolverines.
Brady played from '96-'99 for Lloyd Carr.
Tom Brady has paid his dues. He has worked extremely hard. He's a bright guy, he has a good arm and he has the respect of his teammates. I'm anxious to see Tom play. He's got all the right stuff.
-U of M head Football Coach Lloyd Carr, naming Tom Brady the starter for the first time. (September 5, 1996)
Lloyd Carr was still behind the bench in 2006 when Alan Branch was a key part of one of the best defenses in college football. Branch was named to the ESPN.com All-American Team and the All-Conference Big 10 Team before being drafted by the Arizona Cardinals to begin his NFL career.
So, if you want to root for the home state, you've got to cheer for the Patriots as no players from Michigan are listed on the Atlanta Falcons roster.
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