The look on his face said it all, and anyone who saw it had feeling I had of "he deserved better than this."
It was January 7, 2019, deep inside Levi's Stadium and linebacker Anfernee Jennings was sitting in front of his locker in sort of a daze. Alabama had just played for the national championship and the game wasn't close. Instead of joining the 2011-12 Crimson Tide teams by winning back-to-back titles, it didn't have it that day and Clemson won going away, 44-16.
Jennings was gracious to any reporter who asked for his time, but didn't say much. He didn't have to, either. The look on his face and body language spoke volumes. The linebacker had another year left of eligibility but knew that opportunities like that didn't come around very often. So he eventually took a few minutes to look out for his teammates, let everything soak in, and then eventually started to pack his bag.
A year later, Jennings was a team captain for the Crimson Tide, but Alabama missed the College Football Playoff for the first time despite having a roster that would run the table in 2020 without him. His eligibility expired, Jennings was selected in the third round of the NFL draft by New England.
He didn't get another chance at a championship until February 8, 2026, when as the longest-tenured defensive player on the New England roster led the Patriots to Levi Stadium just outside of San Francisco to face the Seattle Seahawks.
No one expected Jennings, nor the Patriots to be there. At the beginning of the season the linebacker lost his starting job with the new coaching staff, and played mainly on special teams and as a rotational outside linebacker.But his roles changed and grew as the season progressed, and injuries mounted with his position group.
Consequently Jennings was on the field for more than half of his team's defensive snaps during the playoffs. He made his first postseason start in the AFC Championship Game at Denver, and was named a game captain.
"He has a professionalism that he's shown throughout this entire season," head coach Mike Vrabel said at the time. "Appreciate him taking advantage of his opportunities, playing physical, playing on special teams, finding a role.
"That was an easy pick for me this week."
On the other sideline, defensive lineman Jarren Reed could relate to a lot of what his former Crimson Tide teammate was feeling. Both were on the 2015 Alabama national champions. However, Jennings redshirted that season. He suffered a PCL injury in the final minutes of the 2018 Sugar Bowl and missed the subsequent title game. You already known what happened in 2019.
"Nobody's bigger than the program," Reed said on Super Bowl LX Opening Night, sounding like he was still playing for the Crimson Tide. "It feels great to be here. A lot of great players never get the chance."
Some of those names including Derrick Henry, Derrick Thomas and Ozzie Newsome (although he won as a general manger). Even for the best Alabama players who did get a Super Bowl ring the opportunities were few. Sure, Bart Starr was the MVP of both Super Bowl I and II at the tail end of the Green Bay Packers dynasty, but Joe Namath never returned to the game's biggest stage following his lone appearance, and neither did Ken Stabler.
Reed? He's a 10-year NFL veteran who missed out on Seattle's last Super Bowl run. He wasn't taking anything for granted.
"Oh not one bit, " he said. "Everybody's journey is different. I'm very grateful for this, and it's taught me a lot. Coming from Goldsboro, North Carolina to East Mississippi, then Alabama … all the roles were there to get me to this moment."
He added: "It means everything to me."
Here's look at each Super Bowl that had a former Crimson Tide player participate. Note that the following only includes players who were on the active roster for the game, it does not include those on the practice squad or injured reserve.
Jan 15, 1987; Los Angeles, CA; USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback (15) Bart Starr in action during Super Bowl I at the Los Angeles Coliseum against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Packers defeated the Chiefs 35-10 to win the first Super Bowl Title. Starr was 16-23 for 250 yards and 2 touchdowns and was named the games most valuable player. | Tony Tomsic-Imagn Images
Jan 12, 1969; Miami, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath (12) celebrates as he leaves the field following the defeat of the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III at the Orange Bowl. The Jets defeated the Colts 16-7 to become the first AFL team to win the Super Bowl. | Darryl Norenberg-Imagn Images
Jan 9, 1977; Pasadena, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Oakland Raiders quarterback (12) Ken Stabler in action against the Minnesota Vikings during Super Bowl XI at the Rose Bowl. The Raiders defeated the Vikings 32-14 to win their 1st Super Bowl title. | Malcolm Emmons-Imagn Images
Jan 30, 1983; Pasadena, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Bob Baumhower (73) tackles Washington Redskins running back John Riggins (44) during Super Bowl XVII at the Rose Bowl. The Redskins defeated the Dolphins 27-17. | Malcolm Emmons-Imagn Images
Jan 26,1986; New Orleans, LA, USA; FILE PHOTO; New England Patriots tackle John Hannah (73) and Pete Brock (58) block Chicago Bears defensive tackle William Perry (72) during Super Bowl XX at the Superdome. The Bears defeated the Patriots 46-10. | David Boss-Imagn Images
Jan 22, 1989; Miami, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Larry Roberts (91) tackles Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Boomer Esiason (7) during Super Bowl XXIII at Joe Robbie Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Bengals 20-16. | Bob Deutsch-Imagn Images
Jan 31, 1993; Pasadena, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Buffalo Bills linebacker Cornelius Bennett (97) in action against the Dallas Cowboys during Super Bowl XXVII at the Rose Bowl. The Cowboys defeated the Bills 52-17. | Manny Rubio-Imagn Images
Feb 5, 2006; Detroit, MI, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander tries to break through the Pittsburgh Steelers defense in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XL at Ford Field. | John David Mercer-Imagn Images
Feb 5, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Mark Anderson (95) eyes New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) as he drops back to pass during the first half of Super Bowl XLVI at Lucas Oil Stadium. | Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images
Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) makes a catch ahead of New England Patriots cornerback Eric Rowe (25) in the fourth quarter during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. | Dan Powers-Imagn Images
Feb 13, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive end A’Shawn Robinson sacks Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow in the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Other Parts of the Ultimate Bama in the NFL Database
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Every Alabama Player in NFL's Contract Info and Status: Bama in the NFL
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Bama in the NFL: Every Active Alabama Player By Team and Position, Plus Free Agents
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All-Time Crimson Tide Players in the National Football League: Bama in the NFL
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All-Time Alabama Crimson Tide Draft Selections: Bama in the NFL
*Super Bowl MVP
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This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/alabama as Crimson Tide's Rich Super Bowl Legacy Goes Way Beyond Its Four MVPs: Bama in the NFL.