Pair of former Gators competing in Super Bowl LV

For the 19th consecutive year, the Florida Gators will be represented in the Super Bowl.

Demarcus Robinson and Tommy Townsend will both suit up for the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night.

Robinson could get his second Super Bowl ring with a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In his fifth NFL season, Robinson played in all 18 games for the Chiefs, grabbing 46 catches for 480 yards and three touchdowns.

After a tough start to his NFL career back in 2016, Robinson is now Kansas City’s third-leading receiver. He nearly missed his opportunity to play in Super Bowl LV due to COVID-19 protocols, but rejoined the team for practice on Friday.

As for Townsend, the rookie punter has the rare opportunity to play in the Super Bowl in his very first professional season.

Townsend averaged 45 yards per punt in 2020, with a career-long for 67 yards coming in a 32-29 win over the New Orleans Saints. He earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week following that performance.

Robinson and Townsend now return to the state of Florida to play just two hours down the road from Gainesville. It will be a tough test against Tom Brady and the Bucs on their home turf, but a victory for the Chiefs would add Robinson and Townsend to the list of Gators on 23 Super Bowl winning teams.

Super Bowl LV will kick off at 6:30 p.m. ET on CBS.

Bailiegh Carlton
A lifelong sports fan, Bailiegh Carlton knew from a young age that she wanted to work in sports in some capacity. Before transferring to the University of Florida to study journalism, she played softball at Gulf Coast State College. She then interned for Gator Country for three years as she worked toward her degree. After graduation, Bailiegh decided to explore other opportunities in the world of sports, but all roads led her right back here. In her time away, she and her husband welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the world. When she isn't working, she can almost always be found snuggled up with sweet baby Ridley, Cody and her four fur babies.