Former Dukes Stinnie, Wells and Watford Win Super Bowl LV

TAMPA, Fla. – For Aaron Stinnie, Josh Wells and Earl Watford, they will forever be known as Super Bowl champions.

The trio of former James Madison All-Americans claimed the Lombardi Trophy after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rolled past the Kansas City Chiefs, 31-9, in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.

It marks the first NFL championship for all three men, and the first time that three former JMU players won a Super Bowl in the same season.

Stinnie, a third-year pro, started at right guard for the Bucs, becoming the first JMU player in 25 years to start in a Super Bowl. Charles Haley last started in Super Bowl XXX for Dallas. Wells, who's in his seventh year in the league and second with Tampa, was also active and played on the line for Tampa. Watford, an eight-year veteran, is a member of the Bucs' practice squad.

Tampa Bay's offense racked up 340 yards of total offense, including 243 passing yards and three passing scores through the air. The Bucs never trailed, mounting a 21-6 lead at the break. After Kansas City tacked on a field goal, Tampa scored the final 10 points to win the franchise's second Super Bowl.

The Tampa offensive line were instrumental in Tom Brady's success in the passing game, as the now seven-time world champion was voted Super Bowl MVP.

Stinnie, Wells and Watford became the first former JMU players to win a Super Bowl since Rashard Davis (player) and John DeFilippo (coach) since 2018 when the Philadelphia Eagles beat Brady in Super Bowl LII.

Other JMU starts to win a Super Bowl include D.J. Bryant (2013), five-time winner Charles Haley (1989, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1996) and two-time champion Gary Clark (1988, 1992). Bryant won his championship with the Baltimore Ravens. Haley won twice with San Francisco and three times in Dallas, and Clark won both with Washington.

Tampa Bay made history by playing in the game itself, as they became the first time to play in a Super Bowl on its home field.

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