Northwestern University Athletics
Former Wildcat Trai Essex Seeks Second Super Bowl Ring
1/30/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Jan. 30, 2009
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Former Wildcat Trai Essex already has one Super Bowl ring from the Pittsburgh Steelers' title run in 2006, and now the offensive lineman has the chance to become the first Northwestern graduate to win multiple Super Bowl championships.
The fourth-year NFL veteran and the Steelers take on the upstart Arizona Cardinals Sunday in Super Bowl XLIII. Beginning with Essex in 2006, a former Wildcat has hoisted the Lombardi Trophy in each of the previous three seasons. Matt Ulrich won as a member of the Indianapolis Colts in 2007 while Barry Cofield owns a ring from the New York Giants' title in 2008.
Eleven Northwestern alums have participated in 13 previous Super Bowls, but Essex became the first to win the big game in 2006. Perhaps soaking up some of the Wildcats' winning ways in 2008, Essex, his offensive line mates and Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger made a trip to Evanston and were on the sidelines during Northwestern's win over Illinois on Nov. 22.
Essex was a starting left tackle for three years (2002-04) at Northwestern after earning Sporting News Big Ten All-Freshman honors at tight end as a true freshman in 2001. He blocked for three-straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons out of two different running backs, Jason Wright (now a member of the Cleveland Browns) and Noah Herron (recently signed to a future contact by the New York Jets).
