For the 50th Super Bowl, the NFL recently gifted Marshall three commemorative golden footballs in honor of three alumni who have played in the Super Bowl: Keith Lyle, Mike McCrory and Nick Sorensen.
All of the graduates were members of participating Super Bowl teams for three consecutive years, from Super Bowl XXXIV to Super Bowl XXXVI. All three players were also inducted into the George C. Marshall Athletic Hall of Fame.
“This accomplishment exemplifies the quality and talent that Marshall breeds,” junior Claire Heiden said. “Our athletic programs produce phenomenal athletes, who undoubtedly carry the Statesmen Spirit throughout their careers. Our coaches, facilities, and raw talent are truly unparalleled.”
Keith Lyle, who was born in Washington, D.C., played on Marshall’s varsity football team as quarterback and defensive back. After graduating Marshall as a part of the Class of 1990, Lyle continued on to play college football at the University of Virginia. From 1994 to 2000, Lyle played for the St. Louis Rams; in 2001 he played for the Washington Redskins; and in 2002 he played for the San Diego Chargers, when they won Super Bowl XXXIV. Lyle was the 1996 NFL leader in interceptions with nine total interceptions.
“I’ve actually followed the Rams for a while and I never knew there had been a student at Marshall,” freshman Maddie Miller said. “That’s so cool to think that the people we see everyday could grow up to be so successful.”
Mike McCrary was born in Vienna and played for Marshall all four years he attended, graduating in the Class of 1988. By senior year, he was receiving many offers from prestigious football programs. He accepted a scholarship offer from Wake Forest University and set the school record for the most sacks in a season (16) and in a career (30). Professionally, McCrary played for the Seattle Seahawks from 1993 to 1996 and for the Baltimore Ravens from 1997 to 2002, during which the team attained the win at Super Bowl XXXV. McCrary participated in the NFL Pro Bowl twice, was awarded the Byron “Whizzer” White NFL Man of the Year Award in 2000 and was inducted into the Baltimore Ravens’ “Ring of Honor” in 2004.
Nick Sorensen, while born in Winter Haven, Florida, grew up in Vienna and lettered three seasons, each, in baseball, basketball and football at Marshall.
“He really was the embodiment of an all-American teenager. Everyone who met him loved him, you know. He wasn’t exactly scared of the attention, he was just so focused on his academics and sports that it was all he thought about and look where it got him,” said director of student activities Joseph Swarm, who knew Sorensen as a Marshall student.
Sorensen was accepted into Virginia Tech and played on their football team for four seasons. He was awarded Virginia Tech’s Player of the Game in the Gator Bowl in 1998. After college, Sorensen played for the St. Louis Rams from 2001 to 2002, during which the Rams were the runner up in Super Bowl XXXVI. He also played for the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2003 to 2006 and the Cleveland Browns from 2007 to 2010. After retiring from playing professionally, Sorensen became a member of the Seattle Seahawks’ coaching staff in 2013 and that same year the team won Super Bowl XLVII.
“You never know what someone has the potential to become, especially when they’re so young,” said Swarm. “That’s why I never put down a kid for having big dreams. You really can do anything and I think that it’s good for students here to see someone just like them achieve so much.”