Auburn Men Lift the Lombardi
Auburn men lift the Lombardi as former Tigers shine for the Super Bowl winning Seahawks. When the confetti fell after Super Bowl LX, it wasn’t just the Seattle Seahawks celebrating a 29–13 championship win over the New England Patriots, Auburn fans had a reason to roar too. Four Auburn men walked off the field as champions. Those men were Derick Hall, Nehemiah Pritchett, Josh Bynes, and Neiko Thorpe. Two men made their impact on the field, and two helped guide the Seahawks from the sideline.
Former Auburn edge rusher Derick Hall delivered one of the most disruptive defensive performances of the night, recording two sacks and setting the tone for Seattle’s relentless pass rush. His emergence as a championship level defender is the latest chapter in a career built on toughness, leadership, and the Auburn standard. Cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett, another proud Auburn product, added a Super Bowl ring to his résumé as part of Seattle’s secondary. His development from a steady SEC corner to an NFL contributor reflects the same discipline and consistency he showed on the Plains.
Photo by Charlie Riedel/AP
Seattle Seahawks linebacker, Derrick Hall (58), strip sacks New England Patriots quarterback, Drake Maye (10), in Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, CA on Sunday February 8, 2026
Auburn’s impact didn’t stop with the players. Two former Tigers, Josh Bynes and Neiko Thorpe, helped engineer Seattle’s championship run from the coaching staff. Josh Bynes, a national champion at Auburn and longtime NFL linebacker, now serves on Seattle’s defensive staff. His experience, leadership, and understanding of the game have made him a rising coaching voice in the league. Neiko Thorpe, another Auburn defensive standout and former Seahawks captain, is also part of Seattle’s coaching staff. Known for his energy and player first approach, Thorpe has become a trusted presence in the locker room and on the practice field. Together, Bynes and Thorpe represent the next wave of Auburn influence in the NFL. They are former Tigers shaping the game from the headset instead of the helmet.
Auburn’s presence on championship Sunday is nothing new. From Carlton Davis and Jamel Dean with the Buccaneers to Prince Tega Wanogho with the Chiefs, Tigers continue to leave their mark on the sport’s biggest stage. Hall, Pritchett, Bynes, and Thorpe now join that lineage. The Seahawks’ victory resonated far beyond the Pacific Northwest. On the Plains, fans celebrated knowing four Auburn men played a role in bringing home football’s biggest prize. For Auburn fans, it’s another shining reminder that wherever the game is played, Auburn men rise when the lights are brightest.