Former Bulls make USF history in Super Bowl LVII

Chiefs center Austin Reiter and wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling are now part of the group of 10 former USF players to have Super Bowl rings. TWITTER/@MVS__11

After a tight game on the NFL’s biggest stage, two former South Florida football players shined as the Kansas City Chiefs won 38-35 over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII in Phoenix, Arizona.

Chiefs center Austin Reiter and wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling have been added to the list of 15 Bulls to make Super Bowl appearances, with Valdes-Scantling being the most recent addition.

Reiter now ties for the most Super Bowl wins under his belt with two victories as a USF alum in program history. He joins outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul after his two Super Bowl XLVI successes with the Giants and LV with the Buccaneers.

He also ties the record for most appearances from a former Bull in a Super Bowl with current assistant director of development of community/donor engagement BJ Daniels. Reiter checked in with Bulls football fans on Twitter and Instagram on opening night last Monday.

Daniels was a former USF quarterback from 2009-12 and joins Valdes-Scantling and Reiter. Daniels also holds a Super Bowl ring from his win with the Seattle Seahawks in 2014.

Daniels posted a video message on Monday outside of the Porter Family Indoor Performance Facility congratulating the two Chiefs players, inviting them to show off their rings together.

While playing for USF from 2010-14, Reiter was named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List in 2013 and 2014. The Bradenton native started for Kansas City in 2019 and watched his team win over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl in 2020, lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021 and was moved up from the practice squad before their victory on Sunday.

Valdes-Scantling played for South Florida from 2015-17 and even set the record in receiving yards with 879 yards in 2017. The St. Petersburg native also is 10th all-time in 1,294 receiving yards, earned from two seasons.

As Kansas City took State Farm Stadium on Sunday, Valdes-Scantling did not have any catches and was targeted for one play. However, he did have a major impact in the AFC championship. Securing six catches for a season high of 116 yards and a touchdown, Valdes-Scantling was able to aid the Chiefs in their 23-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, giving them their ticket to Phoenix.

From being cut from his high school football team, to breaking USF records and now being a Super Bowl champion, Valdes-Scantling has a lot to celebrate.