From Saquon to Franco, former Penn State players turn out in force for Super Bowl week 

Not bumping into a Penn Stater this week at the Miami Beach Convention Center, the media headquarters for Super Bowl LIV, has proven to be a difficult task.

Former Nittany Lion players, media members — and sometimes both — all have been well represented.

Here are some of the most interesting takeaways from conversations with some of Penn State’s biggest names, all in town for the hoopla surrounding the big game between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

Saquon Barkley

When Saquon Barkley was young, he told his dad something after driving past the Meadowlands: “I am going to play in that stadium one day.”

Not only does Barkley now spend fall Sundays at Metlife Stadium suited up as a New York Giant, but he also got to play with a quarterback who converted the play that would become his favorite Super Bowl memory.

“Going back to Eli (Manning), it has got to be my favorite Super Bowl moment, when they beat the undefeated Patriots,” Barkley said. “I remember sitting in my living room going crazy when Eli made that pass to David Tyree.”

As NFL fans know, the drive Manning engineered gave the Giants a 17-14 upset victory over undefeated New England in 2008.

Michael Robinson

Michael Robinson was one of the most versatile athletes to come through the Penn State football program. He played quarterback, running back, made an impact utilizing his hands in the slot and transitioned into a fullback once he reached the NFL. Between game preparation each week, Robinson began honing his broadcast skills in hopes of becoming an NFL analyst after his football career ended.

“Even when I was playing, I started writing my own scripts and editing my own videos,” Robinson said. “So, I tell people, I could not wait to get to this point in my career. I have to put in work to stay relevant and I like that challenge.”

Robinson captured a Super Bowl ring with the Seattle Seahawks in 2014, and will be one of the analysts who appears on the NFL Network on Sunday.

Grant Haley

Grant Haley is most famous in his collegiate football career for scoring the game-winning touchdown against Ohio State back in 2016. He now plays for the New York Giants.

At the Super Bowl, besides getting to “hang around NFL legends and make connections for the future,” Haley has been stressing the importance of what an NFL platform can do to raise awareness for causes.

“I think I’m a very good example, with my mother needing a liver transplant,” Haley said. “I was very passionate about getting any information out on social media that could raise awareness about an unknown disease, and obviously it was successful with the help of God.”

Haley’s mother received a new liver in April after seven years of battling, thanks to her son’s efforts. Now, Haley is at a point in his life where he can be content to enjoy the Super Bowl and “not so bad weather” down in Miami.

Said Haley: “I’m just blessed to be in the position I am, healthy and being able to take care of the people I love.”

Jason Cabinda

The NFL’s broadcast bootcamp was in full force for Super Bowl LIV, and former Nittany Lion and current Detroit Lion Jason Cabinda was lucky enough to be one of the athletes selected to participate.

The bootcamp gave Cabinda the chance to explore the world of media by participating in interviews, exposing himself to people in the industry and speaking at a booth on Super Bowl Sunday.

Cabinda majored in economics in State College, but discovered the “it factor” he had for broadcasting after an experience he had co-hosting a show about football his junior year of college. He dove into broadcast more fully when he came to better understand how fragile a pro football career can be.

“It took me a little bit too long to decide to really truly to explore and really look at those opportunities,” Cabinda said. “I am not in class anymore and I do not have school in the offseason right now, so I have that kind of time to further myself off the field so … this is just an amazing opportunity that I’m super thankful for.”

Franco Harris

After winning four rings as a Pittsburgh Steeler, Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris has a tough time selecting his most memorable Super Bowl moment.

“We have four Super Bowls, right, and four Super Bowl victories, so you make it kind of tough to choose one out of the four. But I’m going to say the first one in New Orleans,” Harris said.

“Super Bowls in New Orleans are out of this world and that was our first one, our first Super Bowl victory, so that’s my favorite,” said Harris, referring to Pittsburgh’s 16-6 win over Minnesota in 1975.

Even though he had trouble deciding on a favorite NFL title, Harris wasn’t shy about his giving a shoutout to his favorite college team: “It all started at Penn State.”

This story was originally published January 31, 2020 at 4:57 PM.