By By Adam Robinson – sports editor
As many of you may know, the New York Giants and the New England Patriots earned wins in their conference championship games two Sundays ago and will be playing in the Super Bowl today.
The Giants won the NFC championship with an overtime win over Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers in frigid weather at Lambeau Field, and the Patriots remained undefeated with their win over the San Diego Chargers.
In the Giants' win over the Packers, New York kicker Lawrence Tynes kicked the game-winning field goal from about 47 yards out. Tynes had missed two previous kicks that could have won the game for the Giants in regulation.
At the time I did not realize that Tynes is a fellow Troy Trojan. It was not until the Monday after the game when I saw the Mobile Press-Register had his picture on the front page of the game-winning kick. I knew that Osi Umenyiora, a defensive end, played for the Trojans, but I did not know about Tynes. Umenyiora recently made his second pro bowl and will be the only Giant picked in the pro bowl.
Isn't that cool - two Trojans on a team playing in the Super Bowl?
After finding out this information, I went to the trusty ol' Troy Trojan media guide.
According to the guide, there are seven active Trojans in the pros.
They are Branden Hall with the Lions, Rayshun Reed with the 49ers, Alfred Malone with the Texans, and Brandon Condren with the Colts. Other more well-know names are Tynes and Umenyiora with the Giants, and probably the most recognized name of all is Demarcus Ware with the Cowboys.
Demarcus was the highest picked Trojan in the NFL Draft when he was a first-round pick in 2005. He was picked 11th overall.
There have been 26 Trojans in the NFL Draft since 1969, and 44 who have played in the NFL, according to the media guide.
In last Saturday's Senior Bowl game, Leodis McKelvin represented the Trojans in the all-star game. Experts are predicting Leodis to be picked in the first round, possibly by the Cowboys.
I had the opportunity to interview Leodis for a preview of him in the game program my last year at Troy.
It is kind of weird knowing I interviewed a possible NFL Draft first round pick.
Having these players in these positions (two Super Bowl participants and another possible first round pick) gives Troy more exposure than the “little” school already has been receiving.
I believe Troy does not get the publicity, as other schools seem to receive because of the conference they are in.
While the Trojans may be in a weak conference, that has not stopped big-time schools from scheduling the team.
On the 2008 schedule, Troy will play at LSU, at Ohio State and at Oklahoma State. In 2009, they play at Florida, at Arkansas, and in 2010 they play at South Carolina and at Oklahoma State.
I think maybe moving to Conference USA would be a nice move. You would play Southern Miss, Memphis, UAB, Marshall, Tulane and other schools. Maybe the Big East would be a good conference but would be a lot of traveling to the East Coast. Another thing possibly hurting Troy is the size of the basketball arena and maybe the football stadium. I know for sure the basketball arena needs some help, but that is a totally different column.
The main point here is the Trojans in the NFL and possibly the future of Leodis in the NFL.
I heard coach Blakeney say the other day that the more people keep talking about Troy, the more publicity the school keeps getting.
I hope Troy continues to put people in the NFL and the other sports continue to have great seasons and produce big time named athletes.
On a different note, I wish all area teams the best of luck in games this week and until Wednesday when we meet again, God bless.