University of North Carolina Athletics
Hedgecock, Davis Headed To Super Bowl
January 20, 2008 | Football
Jan. 20, 2008
Former Tar Heels Madison Hedgecock and Russell Davis are headed to the Super Bowl as members of the New York Giants. Hedgecock is the team's starting fullback and Davis is a reserve defensive lineman. The Giants knocked off Green Bay in overtime, 23-20, to advance to Super Bowl XLII in Glendale, Ariz.
In his column leading up to the NFC Championship game, former Tar Heel and current Sports Illustrated columnist Bucky Brooks noted that the "blocking of (Madison) Hedgecock at fullback becomes critical to their (New York's) success." Hedgecock was a terrific blocker at North Carolina and even played at defensive end after Carolina was beset with numerous injuries.
Hedgecock was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the 2005 NFL Draft. After two successful seasons with the Rams, he was released this year following the first game against Carolina. He immediately landed in New York and has fit in well to a team that prides itself on running the football. The Giants running game wouldn't be the same without Hedgecock who last week laid several punishing blocks on would-be Dallas tacklers. Hedgecock is a native of Wallburg, N.C., near Winston-Salem, and attended Ledford High School.
Davis was a second-round pick of the Chicago Bears in 1999, but played the majority of his career in Arizona from 2000-05. He played one year in Seattle and then signed with New York for the 2007 season. A native of Fayetteville, N.C., Davis attended E.E. Smith High School and is now in his ninth season as a professional. At Carolina he was coached by current assistant Kenny Browning.
Davis and Hedgecock are both making their first Super Bowl appearances. North Carolina has had at least one player on a Super Bowl roster in 21 of the last 22 Super Bowls.
