Former Mizzou teammates share opposing Super Bowl experiences
By Nick Cole
Published:
Shane Ray and Kony Ealy shared some good times as teammates at Mizzou.
But a week ago, the former standout Tigers defenders were on opposite sidelines for the biggest game of their careers.
Ray plays outside linebacker for the Denver Broncos, while Ealy serves as a defensive end for the Carolina Panthers.
Mizzou beat writer David Morrison has detailed the day for each of their families in a well-done feature story for the Columbia Daily Tribune.
It was Ray that came away with the Super Bowl championship, but Ealy made his name known on the big stage as well.
Ealy intercepted a Peyton Manning pass in the second quarter of the Broncos’ 24-10 victory.
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He also forced a fumble by getting to the quarterback later in the game.
According to Morrison, it created an interesting internal conflict for Ray on the other sideline:
“Win or lose, that’s my brother,” Ray said. “Sharing that moment with him and watching him have the kind of game that he did, I was proud. There was no feeling of anger like, ‘Man, somebody block him.’ I was like, ‘He’s making history. Keep going.’
“I’m thinking this in my head. I’m not saying this out loud or anything.”
Ray himself had a big moment, forcing a fumble by Carolina RB Mike Tolbert.
But perhaps more entertaining than the tales of his Super Bowl tackles was the way he recalled getting to Patriots QB Tom Brady during the AFC Championship game:
“It’s always fun to see a quarterback’s reaction when you hit him, and I think I hit Brady maybe three or four times that game,” Ray said. “And he was just looking at me like, ‘Who is this guy? And why is he hitting me?’ ”
Considering one guy had to win and the other had to lose, it’s safe to say that the performances of both players left Mizzou fans plenty proud.
Nick Cole is a former print journalist with several years of experience covering the SEC. Born and raised in SEC country, he has taken in the game-day experience at all 14 stadiums.
