Super Bowl Champ Rex Burkhead Returns to Nebraska

By Ross Jernstrom | 

Posted: Mon 9:52 PM, Apr 15, 2019  | 

Updated: Mon 10:48 PM, Apr 15, 2019

LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) - Former Husker Rex Burkhead was back in Lincoln for the annual Red-White Spring Game.

6 Sports Director Ross Jernstrom spoke with the New England Patriots running back about winning the Super Bowl.

Burkhead said he was thrilled to be back in Lincoln.

"You know this is my first game back in Nebraska since I graduated so it's pretty cool, just excited about Scott Frost, just the state of the program this year and see what the guys can do."

I have got to ask you about the AFC Championship game, you score the touchdown to tie it and then to win it. What was that game like?

"Yeah it was neat actually being here close to Nebraska I know a lot of Nebraska fans were there just to go out there in a hostile environment in that weather and to know that that game would take you to the Super Bowl was special and it was a great team win great effort and to play in that game was cool."

Super Bowl Champion, take me back to February. What was that like?

"It was great unbelievable game season something I will never forget for sure just having the family there on the field after the game was special so something you dream about as a little kid winning the Super Bowl and to actually make that dream come true was cool."

Your Team Jack Foundation how is that going and give us an update on Jack?

"Yeah it's doing great you know the Foundation has raised almost 6-million dollars for pediatric brain cancer, just held an event back in my hometown of Plano, Texas last weekend and it was our biggest year ever great turnout. You know Jack is doing pretty well right now got a good MRI a couple of weeks ago hopefully that continues he is getting big you know he is almost as tall as me now its special great family still cool to be a part of."

What Marshal Yanda's shoes say about Iowa's football program

Mark Emmert, Hawk Central Published 5:33 p.m. CT April 12, 2019 | Updated 5:36 p.m. CT April 12, 2019

Iowa strength coach Chris Doyle welcomes back former Hawkeyes in the NFL on a daily basis in the offseason. Chad Leistikow, Hawk Central

IOWA CITY, Ia. — An 8-year-old pair of red and grey Nikes is as emblematic of the Iowa football program as any of the trophies you’ll find at the Hansen Performance Center.

The well-worn shoes belong to Marshal Yanda, a 34-year-old star guard for the Baltimore Ravens. The former Hawkeye has made it to seven Pro Bowls. The shoes were a gift from his first, in 2011. They sit in his locker here year-round. He wears them every time he works out alongside the current crop of Iowa players, which is all the time in the offseason.

Yanda signed a contract extension Thursday to play through the 2020 season. He is a millionaire who could certainly afford some new kicks.

So why does he wear the same old shoes?

Longtime strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle has asked Yanda the same question. He relayed the answer to reporters Friday.

“He said it’s because it’s a reminder of that first Pro Bowl, what it took,” Doyle said of Yanda, who told him: “’It reminds me of what I did to achieve that level of success and what I need to continue to do on a daily basis to play at the highest level.’”

Doyle said Yanda is the kind of role model the Hawkeyes need. He doesn’t come into the training center with his own workout regimen in mind. He does exactly the same things that the players 12-15 years younger than him are doing.

Baltimore Ravens guard Marshal Yanda has made seven Pro Bowls, but still spends his offseasons grinding through workouts with the Iowa Hawkeyes. His shoes are in the building year-round, Iowa strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle explained Friday. (Photo: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)

And he’s not alone. Doyle said as many as 15 former Hawkeyes currently playing in the NFL were in the building at one time this winter.

Iowa built a locker room just for its alumni, something Doyle believes is unique. Those include tight end George Kittle, cornerbacks Josh Jackson and Desmond King, linebacker Ben Niemann and, of course, Yanda.

“They believe that the training that we’re doing will help them retain their jobs,” Doyle said.

“It’s absolutely awesome to have those guys come back, be around our current players and to have an opportunity to work with some of the best guys that have ever played here. I think that’s one of the special things about Iowa football is the stability of it, the family of it. And we cater to them.”

The catering doesn’t include new shoes apparently. But for Yanda, that’s the point.

Ted Ginn Sr. honored with the ''Ohio's Finest'' award

Ohio State insider

Stephen Means

smeans@cleveland.com

Columbus —

Ginn honored: Glenville High School football coach Ted Ginn Sr. was honored Thursday with the ''Ohio's Finest'' award at Ohio State's football coaching clinic.

''It means everything to me,'' Ginn said. ''I've had a ton of kids come here, and they've given them hope, been an example for my kids and treated them really well. More importantly, I know what it means and I teach kids what it means to be an Ohio State person.''

Under Ginn the Tarblooders have found success at the high school level and for almost a decade, the East Side school funneled numerous talented players to Ohio State, many while Jim Tressel was the head coach. From 2002 to '14, Ginn sent 22 players to Columbus including his son Ted Ginn Jr., who is coming off his 12th season in the NFL. In total, 19 former Tarblooders — five of which are still active — have played at least one NFL snap.

Many of those players were stars under Tressel, who had a 106-22 record, seven Big Ten championships and one National Championship in three title game appearances. The NCAA later voided the 12-1 season of 2010.

In addition to Ginn's son, notable former Tarblooders who played for Ohio State include Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith, quarterback Cardale Jones, defensive backs Marshon Lattimore, Donte Whitner and Christian Bryant, and offensive linemen Bryant Browning and Marcus Hall.