Brady Russell Joins Super Bowl Elite as Seahawks' Special Teams Shine in Championship Win
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Brady Russell’s road from Boulder to the NFL’s biggest stage just hit its highest point. The former Colorado Buffalo is now a Super Bowl champion, playing a key role in the Seattle Seahawks’ 29-13 win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
While quarterbacks and wideouts often grab the spotlight on Super Bowl Sunday, this one belonged to Seattle’s defense and special teams - and Russell was right in the thick of it. As the Seahawks’ special teams captain, Russell helped lead a unit that didn’t just show up - it dominated.
Let’s start with the field goal unit. They went a perfect five-for-five, setting a Super Bowl record in the process.
In a game where every possession mattered, those 15 points were more than just insurance - they were momentum-swingers. Then there’s the punt team, which averaged an impressive 47.9 yards over seven punts.
More importantly, they pinned the Patriots inside their own 10-yard line three times. That kind of field position control is how you win championships.
Russell was everywhere on special teams, logging a team-high 32 snaps and adding multiple tackle assists. That kind of hustle doesn’t always make the highlight reel, but coaches and teammates know how crucial it is. His leadership and execution helped set the tone for a unit that outplayed New England in one of the game’s most overlooked - but vital - phases.
With the win, Russell becomes the latest in a growing line of Colorado alums making waves on the pro stage. In 2024, Derrick White hoisted the Larry O’Brien Trophy with the Boston Celtics, and Jaylyn Sherrod helped the New York Liberty capture a WNBA title. Now, Russell adds a Lombardi Trophy to the Buffs’ trophy case.
He’s also the first Colorado player to win a Super Bowl since Nate Solder did it with the Patriots in Super Bowl LI following the 2016 season. Russell joins a proud legacy of Buffs who’ve made their mark on the NFL’s biggest game.
Since Super Bowl I, 66 former Colorado players have appeared in the Super Bowl, combining for 29 championships. Expand that to include NFL Championship Games before the Super Bowl era, and the numbers grow even more impressive: 75 Colorado players with 112 appearances, and 41 of them earning titles - 63 championships in total.
That tradition started with Boyd Dowler, who played in and won the first two Super Bowls. Legends like Ted Johnson, Cliff Branch, and Tom Ashworth each collected three rings. Solder and Johnson both made it to four Super Bowls, with Solder winning two.
Now, Brady Russell is part of that legacy - not just as a participant, but as a captain, a contributor, and a champion. His journey from college tight end to Super Bowl winner is a testament to the value of grit, versatility, and doing the dirty work that wins games. And for Colorado fans, it’s one more reason to take pride in the Buffs’ growing footprint across the world of professional sports.