Super Bowl Offers Golden Opportunity for Longhorn Pros

If a handful of lifetime Longhorns have their way in this year's Super Bowl, the Big Easy might have to change its tequila sunrise a darker shade of orange and Bourbon Street may become Bevo Street for at least a night.

49 University of Texas football players have found themselves in the NFL's greatest game over the years and this year kicker Justin Tucker and cornerback Chykie Brown will take the stage for the Baltimore Ravens, while cornerback Tarell Brown and offensive lineman Leonard Davis will rep the red and gold for the San Francisco 49ers. The foursome are the most of any Big 12 school, a noteworthy accomplishment.

Four former Texas Longhorns will play for their respective teams in Super Bowl XLVII, the most of any Big 12 school and second-most of any school overall (Miami and Oregon each have five representatives). This continues a eight-year streak in which a University of Texas player has played in the Super Bowl. Cornerback Aaron Ross played last year for the New York Giants and offensive lineman Kyle Hix played for the New England Patriots.

With the current betting line (recreationally of course) set at 3.5 points for the San Francisco 49ers, all eyes will be on Justin Tucker, who already has a playoff pelt to hang on his wall after knocking the Denver Broncos out of the playoffs in a stellar victory in double overtime on way to the AFC Championship. As a Youtube poster put it, the dude might literally have ice in his veins.

He also made a few fans in Maryland with his game-winner in the Mile High City.

Another Lifetime Longhorn to keep an eye on is Tarell Brown, who will be put to the test regardless of which Ravens receiver he lines up against in speedster Torrey Smith or playmaking possession receiver Anquan Boldin. Brown stepped up big in the NFC Championship win over Atlanta, recording 8 tackles.

As far as players your hooked heart goes out to, it's impossible not to be divided over Leonard Davis and Chykie Brown. Davis is a gentle giant whose philanthropic efforts are somehow bigger than his frame, while a win for Brown would serve as a reminder that he has long since overcome any temporary struggles while at Texas (where he largely shined in his playing time.) He also hasn't forgotten how to rep the Forty Acres.

Whether the Lombardi Trophy heads to the east or west coast this year, Texas fans can take comfort in knowing that two Longhorns will be taking past in the celebration. Now that's something worth partying about.