Super Bowl LV between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs has the potential to be an exciting game full of big plays, some extracurricular sideline violence and a few torch-passing quarterback moments from NFL G.O.A.T. Tom Brady to his heir apparent, Patrick Mahomes.
But to UNC fans across the country, one thing will be missing from this marquee matchup: Tar Heels.
Though no former UNC players will feature in the big game this year (T.J. Logan will settle for a spot on the Bucs’ injured reserve list), some were able to strut their stuff in the playoffs. Let’s take a look at how they did.
Eric Ebron
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Eric Ebron, who entered the league in 2014 after three years in Chapel Hill, has a lot to be pleased about off the heels of this season. Though it doesn’t compare to his Pro Bowl season in 2018, his first campaign in the Steel City was still one of his best, registering 56 receptions for 558 yards and five touchdowns — tied for second-highest of his career.
He was on a star-studded Steelers team that started the season hot but fizzled down the stretch, losing four of its last five games to finish the season at 12-4. That poor form continued to haunt them in their wild-card matchup against the Cleveland Browns when they went down 28-0 in the first quarter of what would turn out to be a 48-37 loss. Ebron played well, though, catching seven passes for 62 yards and a third-quarter touchdown.
If the Steelers can rediscover some consistency and iron out the issues that plagued them in their final few games, Ebron could soon find himself on a team capable of making waves in the postseason.
M.J. Stewart
Meanwhile, as Ebron and company sulked on the sidelines after their defeat, cornerback M.J. Stewart and his Browns teammates celebrated.
