The Minnesota Gophers just added two more names to their growing list of Super Bowl champions, as Boye Mafe and Nick Kallerup played key roles in the Seattle Seahawks’ 29-13 win over New England on Sunday in Santa Clara.
It’s the first time since 2021 that former Gophers have hoisted the Lombardi Trophy, when Antoine Winfield Jr. and Tyler Johnson were part of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ championship run. Now, Mafe and Kallerup join that elite company, bringing the program’s all-time total to 22 Super Bowl winners since 1967.
Mafe, a Hopkins High School product, made his presence felt on football’s biggest stage. The Seahawks linebacker notched a tackle and a quarterback hit, continuing the physical, high-motor style of play that’s become his calling card. After the game, Mafe celebrated the moment in style-cigar in hand, draped in the Nigerian flag, proudly honoring his heritage and the journey that brought him to this point.
Kallerup, who hails from Wayzata, contributed in his role as a special teams player and extra blocker on offense-an unsung but crucial part of Seattle’s game plan. While his name might not show up often in the box score, players like Kallerup are the glue in championship rosters, doing the dirty work that keeps the engine running.
On the other side of the field, former Gophers linebacker Jack Gibbens suited up for New England. The Bulverde, Texas native was active on defense and special teams, tallying four tackles in the game. But it was a mixed outing-Gibbens also allowed a second-half touchdown as Seattle pulled away.
With Mafe and Kallerup joining the ranks, the Gophers continue to show they can produce talent that not only reaches the NFL, but thrives on its biggest stage. From practice squads to starting roles, Minnesota’s footprint in the Super Bowl keeps growing-and Sunday’s win was just the latest chapter.