From Penn State’s standpoint, all of the focus was on new coach Bill O’Brien in Super Bowl XLVI.
With a victory, the Patriots offensive coordinator, arriving back in State College by Tuesday on a full-time basis, would have had a championship ring to flash around the Lasch football building or recruits’ living rooms.
Of course, the Giants defeated the Pats, 21-17, denying O’Brien a Super Bowl title for the second time in five years.
Ah, well.
But Kareem McKenzie and Jimmy Kennedy made sure Penn State didn’t go home empty handed. In all but five years, at least one PSU alumnus was a member of one of the teams playing in the Super Bowl. And thanks to the former linemen, PSU earned its 50th and 51st Super Bowl rings. Pat Flaherty and Peter Giunta, former PSU assistant coaches, also earned Super Bowl rings.
‘It’s unbelievable, it’s unbelievable, words can’t describe it,’ said McKenzie, who earned his second Super Bowl ring with the Giants.’
Said Kennedy: ‘It’s a blessing. I’ve been working nine years for it, to be in this position, to win a Super Bowl ring, the Lombardi Trophy with my hometown team . . . It’s a blessing.’
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