Kent State In The NFL

 Kent State has a rich history of players not only moving on to the NFL, but succeeding at the highest levels.

Current Players from the MAC in the NFL:

Kent State - 10

  • Joshua Cribbs, Cleveland Browns

  • Julian Edelman, New England Patriots

  • Abram Elam, Cleveland Browns

  • Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers

  • James Harrison, Pittsburgh Steelers

  • Jameson Konz, Seattle Seahawks

  • Daniel Muir, Indianapolis Colts

  • Rico Murray, Cincinnati Bengals

  • Jack Williams, Detroit Lions

  • Usama Young, New Orleans Saints

Akron - 9

Northern Illinois - 9

Temple - 9

Central Michigan - 8

Western Michigan - 8

Ball State - 7

Buffalo - 6

Eastern Michigan - 6

Bowling Green - 4

Miami - 4

The 2010 Pro Bowl featured former Golden Flashes

James Harrison, Antonio Gates & Joshua Cribbs.

Did you know?

• Jack Lambert (1971-73) is one of just five players in the history of the Mid-American Conference to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A member of Pittsburgh's famed "Steel Curtain" defense, Lambert was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the year in 1974 and an All-Pro eight times in nine years from 1975-83. (Check out his Hall of Fame page here.)

• Kent State is one of only three schools in the country to boast multiple Associated Press NFL Defensive Players of the Year, as Lambert (1976) was joined by James Harrison in 2008. Miami, Fla. (4) and Florida State (2) are the only other schools to have more than one honoree since the award was first handed out in 1971.

• Harrison's 100-yard interception return for a touchdown at the end of the first half of Super Bowl XLIII propelled the Steelers to a 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Feb. 1, 2009. The longest play in Super Bowl history helped Pittsburgh claim a record sixth title. (Watch it here.)

• Kent State has had a player on the winning team in eight of the last 10 Super Bowls, twice having a former Golden Flashes on both teams: XLIV, 2010 -- Usama Young (New Orleans Saints) & Danny Muir (Indianapolis Colts); XXXVIII, 2004 -- Ken Walter (New England Patriots) & Eugene Baker (Carolina Panthers).