The Seattle Seahawks are Super Bowl champions once again, claiming their second Lombardi Trophy in franchise history with a commanding 29-13 win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX. And while the spotlight shined brightest on Seattle’s suffocating defense, the game also marked a special moment for several players and coaches with deep Utah roots - two of whom are now Super Bowl champions.
Let’s break down how the Utah-connected players fared on the NFL’s biggest stage.
Rashid Shaheed: Making His Presence Felt
Of the six Utah-connected individuals involved in Super Bowl LX, none made a bigger on-field impact than Seattle wide receiver and return specialist Rashid Shaheed, the former Weber State standout known for his blazing speed and game-breaking potential.
Shaheed’s stat line won’t jump off the page - two catches for 27 yards, one carry for minus-5 yards, a pair of punt returns for 16 yards, and a 20-yard kickoff return - but he was inches away from breaking the game open. Twice, he nearly connected on deep shots from quarterback Sam Darnold, both of which could’ve flipped the momentum in a heartbeat. One was broken up at the last second by Patriots corner Christian Gonzalez, and the other just sailed past Shaheed’s outstretched hands early in the fourth quarter.
Still, his biggest contribution came on a 16-yard reception that helped set up Seattle’s fourth field goal of the night - a key moment that kept the Seahawks in control during the second half.
Shaheed becomes just the seventh former Weber State player to win a Super Bowl ring - and only the fourth to actually play in the game. Before kickoff, he spoke about what the moment would mean not just for him, but for the next generation of FCS athletes.
“That moment would just be bigger than just me,” Shaheed said. “That would be an opportunity to let kids know that you can make it from anywhere.
You don’t have to go to a Power (Four) school. You can go to an FCS school and make it happen.”
That message now carries the weight of a Super Bowl ring.
Connor O’Toole: Rookie Year Ends with a Ring
Linebacker Connor O’Toole, a former Utah Ute, didn’t record any stats on Sunday night, but he still played a role on special teams for the Seahawks. The undrafted rookie has been grinding all season, and now he walks away from his first year in the league with a Super Bowl ring - not a bad way to kick off an NFL career.
On the Other Side: Utah Ties with the Patriots
While Seattle celebrated, several other Utah-connected players and coaches on the Patriots’ sideline were left with the sting of defeat.
Christian Elliss, a linebacker who played his high school ball at Judge Memorial, was one of New England’s more active defenders. He finished the night with three tackles, including a solo stop and a quarterback hurry. This marked his second Super Bowl appearance - and unfortunately, his second loss on the big stage.
Khyiris Tonga, the former BYU and Granger High School defensive tackle, made his Super Bowl debut in his fifth NFL season. He logged an assisted tackle in the trenches for New England, contributing in a rotation that had its hands full trying to slow down Seattle’s ground game and protect against Darnold’s play-action looks.
Miles Battle, a second-year cornerback out of Utah, was part of the Patriots’ practice squad. While he didn’t suit up for the game, being part of a Super Bowl roster this early in his career is a valuable experience in itself.
Chuckie Keeton: Building His NFL Résumé
On the coaching side, Chuckie Keeton - the former Utah State quarterback - was in his first season with the Patriots as an offensive assistant. After spending last season with the Seahawks in a similar role, Keeton made the jump to New England’s staff, continuing his rise through the NFL coaching ranks.
A Night of Mixed Emotions for Utah Football Fans
Super Bowl LX was a showcase of defensive dominance by the Seahawks, but it also served as a reminder of just how far Utah’s football pipeline reaches. From Weber State to the University of Utah, BYU to Utah State, and even local high schools, the Beehive State was well represented on football’s biggest stage.
And while only two walked away with rings, every one of them added a meaningful chapter to their football journey - with plenty more still to be written.