The SMU - Super Bowl XLVI connections

Super Bowl XLVI week is upon us and there are several SMU ties to the big game on Sunday, including an alumnus who first coined the name "Super Bowl."

Defensive back Sterling Moore, who helped the Patriots snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in their 23-20 victory over the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game, played for the Mustangs for three seasons - 2007-09.

Read more about Moore at ponyfans.com or watch a brief video of his game-saving defensive play (see below).

Moore is the third Mustang in three years to play in a Super Bowl. Emmanuel Sanders ('09), who helped the Mustangs win the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl in 2009, was part of Super Bowl XLV history as a player for American Football Conference (AFC) champions, the Pittsburgh Steelers. In 2010, New Orleans Saints punter Thomas Morstead, who studied engineering at SMU, earned a ring in the team's victor over the Indianapolis Colts.

This year's Super Bowl is being played in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, home of the Colts, who are owned by alumnus Jim Irsay ('81).

The late Lamar Hunt, an SMU trustee and alumnus ('56), founded the AFC in 1970 and coined the Super Bowl name in 1967 while he was chair of the Kansas City Chiefs. Son Clark (’87), an SMU trustee, now chairs the board of the Chiefs. He also serves on SMU’s Second Century Campaign Executive Committee, Athletics Campaign Committee and Cox School of Business Executive Board.

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