From Iowa to the NFL’s Biggest Stage: Mason Richman Adds Super Bowl Ring to His Journey
There’s a new Super Bowl champion with Iowa roots, and his name is Mason Richman.
The former Hawkeye offensive lineman just capped off his rookie season with the Seattle Seahawks by hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. Seattle took down the New England Patriots 29-13 in Super Bowl LX, and while Richman didn’t play a major role on the field this season, he’s now part of the league’s most exclusive club - a Super Bowl champion.
It’s the second straight year a rookie from Iowa has ended their first NFL season with a ring. Last year, Cooper DeJean made headlines with a pick-six off Patrick Mahomes in the Eagles’ win over the Chiefs. Now, it’s Richman’s turn to add his name to the growing list of Hawkeyes making noise on football’s biggest stage.
Richman’s path to this moment wasn’t flashy, but it was built on consistency and grit. He spent five seasons in Iowa City, including a redshirt year, and became a fixture on the offensive line.
Fifty-five appearances, 52 starts - that’s a resume built on dependability. And it came during a time of transition for Iowa’s front five.
Under position coach George Barnett, the Hawkeyes’ offensive line went through a much-needed rebuild. Richman was at the heart of that effort, helping bring the unit back to the physical, disciplined standard Iowa fans expect. By 2024, the line had turned the corner, and while Richman wasn’t part of the 2025 group that won the Joe Moore Award - given to the nation’s best offensive line - he helped lay the groundwork for that success.
Just ask Trevor Lauck, who took over Richman’s spot at left tackle and started every game last season.
“The development was huge,” Lauck said back in September. “Sitting behind Mason was probably one of the best things that could've happened for me.
I literally just sat back and watched everything he did - from games, practice - and just tried to replicate it. Just be a good player like he was and be a good leader.”
That kind of praise speaks volumes. Richman wasn’t the loudest voice in the room, but he led by example - the kind of teammate every locker room needs.
Despite a solid college career, Richman didn’t get an invite to the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine. But the Seahawks saw enough to take a chance on him in the seventh round of the draft.
He didn’t see much action during his rookie campaign, but that’s not uncommon for late-round linemen. What matters is that he was part of a championship roster and now owns a ring.
For Richman, it’s a story of perseverance paying off. From anchoring a rebuilding Iowa offensive line to reaching the NFL and now celebrating a Super Bowl title - it’s been quite the ride. And while his role in Seattle may still be developing, one thing’s for sure: he knows what it takes to be part of a winning culture.