When it comes to winning Super Bowls, the state of Mississippi is well represented.
The list of players with state and Coast ties to earn Super Bowl rings seems endless.
Eight South Mississippi players captured world championships during their NFL careers: defensive lineman Verlon Biggs, punter Jerrell Wilson, defensive back Lynn Thomas, tight end Billy Truax, defensive back Jim Marsalis, running back Otis Wonsley, quarterback Brett Favre and cornerback Terrell Buckley.
Biggs, who played at Moss Point, started on the New York Jets team that won Super Bowl III. The former Jackson State standout died in 1994.
Wilson, a former Pearl River Community College and Southern Miss star, helped the Kansas City Chiefs win Super Bowl IV. He died in 2005.
Marsalis, a Pascagoula native, was also a member of the Chiefs' title squad.
Thomas, a Pascagoula native, was a reserve on the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XVI.
Truax, formerly of Gulfport and who played collegiately LSU, was a member of the Dallas Cowboys' team that won Super Bowl VI.
Wonsley, a Moss Point native, played on the Washington Redskins' team that won Super Bowl XVII.
Favre, a Kiln native, led the Green Bay Packers to victory in Super Bowl XXXI. The future Pro Football Hall of Famer is also the NFL's career passing leader.
Buckley, who shined at Pascagoula, contributed to the New England Patriots' title team in Super Bowl XXXVI.
Statewide, defensive lineman L.C. Greenwood won the most rings of anyone from the Magnolia State. The Canton native earned four rings with the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowls IX, X, XIII and XIV during the 1970s.
Punter Ray Guy and Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice each have three Super Bowl rings.
Guy, a former Southern Miss standout, earned three rings with the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowls XI, XV and XVIII.
Rice, who played at Mississippi Valley State, won rings with the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowls XXIII, XXIV and XXIX. He was MVP in Super Bowl XXVIII and XXVIX.
Four players have two Super Bowl rings: running back Antowain Smith, wide receiver Deion Branch, cornerback Deshea Townsend and quarterback Eli Manning.
Smith and Branch, who played at East Mississippi and Jones County Junior Colleges, respectively, both started on the New England Patriots teams that won Super Bowls XXXVIII and XXXIX.
Townsend, who played at South Panola and Alabama, won rings with the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowls XL and XLIII.
Manning is the only Mississippian to win two Super Bowl MVPs. He led the New York Giants to victories in Super Bowls XLII and XLVI.
Several players captured one championship, including running back Walter Payton with the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XX. He died in 1999.
Offensive tackle Stacy Adams and linebacker Michael Boley, who played at Ole Miss and Southern Miss, started on the Giants' title team last season.
Offensive tackle Kendall Simmons of Ripley started on the Pittsburgh Steelers squad in Super Bowl XL.
Wide receiver Donald Driver, formerly of Alcorn State, helped the Green Bay Packers win Super Bowl XLVI.
Defensive tackle Bobby Hamilton, who played at Southern Miss, started on the Patriots team in Super Bowl XXXVI.
Cornerback Dexter McCleon, a Meridian native, helped the St. Louis Rams win Super Bowl XXXIV.
Wide receiver Lance Alworth, of Brookhaven, helped the Dallas Cowboys capture Super Bowl VI.
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