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SALT LAKE CITY — Five former Utes will take part of Super Bowl 50: Broncos center Sam Brenner played at Utah, and former Ute Luther Elliss has become Denver's team chaplain.
On the other side of the football, the Panthers boast former Utah offensive lineman Jordan Gross — in the radio booth, and former linebacker Brian Blechen is on the Carolina practice squad.
But the biggest name by far is Panthers starting defensive lineman Star Lotulelei, who dreamt of this moment his whole life.
Utah defensive lineman Lowell Lotulelei will also be at Super Bowl 50, but as a spectator as he watches his older brother. He said the moment is one both of them have dreamed about since they were small.
But it wasn't until after the Panthers' NFC title game win over the Arizona Cardinals that Lowell Lotulelei realized their dream was becoming a reality.
"I texted him later that night, that he was about to play in the biggest game of football. It was a good experience to talk to him about it personally.
"I told him 'good win, bro.' He said he was about to go home and celebrate with some video games. I told him, right on; go play hard on those video games, bro."
As a kid, Lowell Lotulelei would sit back and admire what his big brother could do on the football field. But he would never play against him.
"He was too big," Lowell Lotulelei admitted. "I didn't like playing with him like that."
But he still wants to follow in his big brother's footsteps to the NFL.
"He helped me a lot this season," Lowell Lotulelei said. "He'd watch my games, and text me after with what I could do better.
That's what big brothers are for.
