Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com MARCH 2017 95 IRISH IN THE PROS BY MATT JONES W ide receiver Michael Floyd added his name to the list of former Irish players that have played on NFL champi- onship teams with the New England Patriots' dramatic 34-28 overtime win over the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI Feb. 5 in Houston. Floyd did not play in the Su- per Bowl. He was placed on the inactive list while the Pa- triots went with other receiv- ers more experienced in their scheme. New England claimed Floyd in December after he was re- leased by the Arizona Cardi- nals following his arrest for a DUI. Floyd played in the final two regular-season games with the Pa- triots and caught four passes for 42 yards and a touchdown. He was also active for the divisional playoff game against the Houston Texans, though the former Irish star struggled mightily in limited action. He had one reception for nine yards, but dropped a pass that led to an in- terception, had another drop that was nearly picked off and was flagged for interference. Floyd, who played at Notre Dame from 2008-11, was then made inac- tive for the AFC Championship Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Super Bowl. Prior to being picked up by New England, Floyd played 13 games for Arizona and had 33 catches for 446 yards and four touchdowns. Despite not playing in the Super Bowl, Floyd got some camera time during the Vince Lombardi Trophy presentation. As former Patriots great Willie McGinest walked the trophy to the stage, Floyd briefly took hold of the trophy and kissed it. Afterwards, Floyd tweeted: "Talk about a 180. #believeinyourself #SuperBowlChampions" At Arizona, Floyd was the No. 2 receiver behind Larry Fitzgerald. Floyd's best season came in 2013, when he started all 16 games and caught a ca- reer-high 65 passes for 1,041 yards and five touchdowns. Floyd is the 44th Notre Dame alum to win at least one NFL title. During the New England dynasty of the past 16 seasons, six other former Notre Dame players have won Super Bowl rings with the Patriots: Marc Edwards, Brock Williams and Jabari Holloway (2002), David Givens (2004 and 2005), and Darius Fleming and Jonas Gray (2015). Though Floyd's future with New England is uncertain, he hopes to remain with the franchise in 2017. His contract is set to expire after the sea- son, and free agency begins March 9. "I love it here. I hope to be back in Foxborough," Floyd told The Boston Globe during Super Bowl week. "I hope that I can make that happen, for sure. "They welcomed me with open arms. They didn't care or say anything about my past or anything. It was just about coming here and putting your work in and doing your job and that's what they expect you to do." ✦ Michael Floyd Wins Super Bowl Ring With New England Floyd caught four passes for 42 yards and a touchdown in two games for the Patriots during the regular season, but was inactive for their Super Bowl win over Atlanta. PHOTO COURTESY MICHAEL FLOYD VIA TWITTER Year Name Team 2017 Michael Floyd New England Patriots 2016 David Bruton and Ryan Harris Denver Broncos 2015 Darius Fleming and Jonas Gray New England Patriots 2014 Golden Tate Seattle Seahawks 2012 Justin Tuck New York Giants 2011 Ryan Grant Green Bay Packers 2010 John Carney New Orleans Saints 2008 Justin Tuck and Jerome Collins New York Giants 2007 Rocky Boiman and Hunter Smith Indianapolis Colts 2006 Jerome Bettis Pittsburgh Steelers 2005 David Givens New England Patriots 2004 David Givens New England Patriots 2002 Marc Edwards, Brock Williams and Jabari Holloway New England Patriots 2000 Todd Lyght St. Louis Rams 1997 Derrick Mayes, Aaron Taylor, Lindsay Knapp and Craig Hentrich Green Bay Packers 1995 Ricky Watters, Junior Bryant, Bryant Young and Anthony Peterson San Francisco 49ers 1993 Steve Beuerlein Dallas Cowboys Year Name Team 1991 Mark Bavaro, Eric Dorsey, Tom Rehder and Dave Duerson New York Giants 1990 Joe Montana San Francisco 49ers 1989 Joe Montana San Francisco 49ers 1987 Mark Bavaro and Eric Dorsey New York Giants 1986 Dave Duerson and Tom Thayer Chicago Bears 1985 Joe Montana San Francisco 49ers 1984 Steve Sylvester Los Angeles Raiders 1983 Joe Theismann Washington Redskins 1982 Joe Montana and Bobby Leopold San Francisco 49ers 1981 Steve Sylvester Oakland Raiders 1980 Rocky Bleier Pittsburgh Steelers 1979 Rocky Bleier Pittsburgh Steelers 1977 Steve Sylvester and Dave Casper Oakland Raiders 1976 Rocky Bleier and Terry Hanratty Pittsburgh Steelers 1975 Rocky Bleier and Terry Hanratty Pittsburgh Steelers 1974 Nick Buoniconti and Bob Kuechenberg Miami Dolphins 1973 Nick Buoniconti and Bob Kuechenberg Miami Dolphins 1970 Jim Lynch Kansas City Chiefs 1967 Paul Hornung and Red Mack Green Bay Packers SUPER BOWL WINNERS FROM NOTRE DAME