Jan. 29, 2015
By Tony Mancuso
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - It's hard to imagine a better script to start an NFL career than the one former Nittany Lion standouts Garry Gilliam and Jordan Hill have crafted with the Seattle Seahawks.
Hill, a second-year defensive tackle, and Gilliam, a rookie offensive tackle, are batting 1.000 in Super Bowl appearances in their short time in the NFL. One trip to the world's biggest football game is a thrill most athletes never get to take part in, so the Penn State duo is not taking anything for granted as preparations continue for Super Bowl XLIX in Glendale, Arizona (Sunday at 6:30 p.m. on NBC).
"I'm definitely honored to be part of this opportunity and with such a great team," Gilliam said. "Having a chance to play in the Super Bowl in my first year is obviously a huge thing. There are a lot of players who have never even gotten a chance to play in the Super Bowl, so for me to get a chance in my very first year is huge for me."
For Hill, who was a third round pick of the Seahawks in the 2013 NFL Draft, this experience is something he is getting used to.
"I'm just really blessed to have these opportunities, especially back-to-back," Hill said. "Many guys don't even get a chance to experience everything like this. I'm really grateful for the opportunity. And I'm becoming a little accustomed to this, so I'm going to be expecting this each and every year."
Gilliam, who earned a Penn State degree in advertising/public relations following the 2013 season, earned a spot on the Seahawks roster as an undrafted free agent last May. The Carlisle, Pennsylvania, native played in 14 games this season, including one start. Gilliam was a contributor on the offensive line throughout the season, but his shining moment came in the dramatic NFC Championship Game on Jan. 18.
Trailing 16-0 late in the third quarter against Green Bay, the Seahawks turned the tide in the game with a gadget play on a field goal attempt. Lined up on the left side of the line during the attempt, Gilliam slipped free into the secondary and hauled in a 19-yard touchdown toss from punter Jon Ryan. A tight end at Penn State from 2010-`12, Gilliam is no stranger to catching passes in games, but this was the biggest play in his life.
"Honestly, I'm pretty sure I blacked out for a split second," Gilliam said. "It was crazy. To be put in that situation and have the coaches trust you with that play and opportunity, and then to go make the play was a surreal feeling. It feels like a dream."
A play that Seattle had practiced all week, Gilliam knew it had a good chance of working in the game.
"It worked in practice, and there is no reason why it wasn't going to work in the game," said Gilliam. "We worked on it for a few days, and it worked out in the game."
Gilliam's score kick-started a rally from the defending Super Bowl champs. Seattle out-scored Green Bay 28-6 during the latter stages of the third quarter, fourth quarter and overtime to win in epic fashion. For Gilliam, the scene in CenturyLink Field brought back visions of a special night in Beaver Stadium.
"It rivaled the night at Penn State when we played against Michigan in the four overtime win," Gilliam said. "You are just standing there in awe and saying, `wow, I can't believe this is happening.' It was just amazing to see the grind all come together and the character of my teammates in that situation...No one thought we were going to win that game in the second half, let alone the fourth quarter. It was huge, and it shows the kind of guys we have on our team."
Hill, who graduated from Penn State with a recreation, tourism and parks management degree in 2013, came on strong in the second half of the regular season. He had a sack in five of Seattle's last six games, including two against San Francisco on Dec. 14. He finished with 19 tackles and 5.5 sacks in 2014.
"Especially during the second half of the year, I just felt more comfortable and able to go out and just play football," Hill said.
A calf injury sidelined Hill following the final regular season game (placed on injured reserve on Jan. 6), but the tenacious defensive tackle has been an active part of Seattle's playoff run.
"We knew it wasn't going to be easy because you rarely ever see a team that wins the Super Bowl and gets back there," Hill said. "It goes to show how much hard work everyone in the organization puts in."
Gilliam and Hill add to Penn State Football's illustrious history of Nittany Lions in the Super Bowl. Penn State has had at least one alumnus in 44 of the 49 Super Bowls, including 18 times in the last 20 years. A total of 105 Nittany Lions have been on Super Bowl rosters.
For two of the most prideful Penn State alums, it means a lot to represent the Blue and White on the biggest stage in sports.
"Penn State is such a great University, and obviously the list of great players who have come out of Penn State is so impressive," said Gilliam. "For me and Jordan to be able to represent Penn State is huge for the University, and both of us are from Harrisburg, so it's big for our hometown. And it just goes to show that if you grind, no matter what circumstances you come through, if you keep your head focused, you can make it to the top."
"It means the world to represent Penn State because Penn State means so much to me," said Hill. "Me being a local guy from Steelton right outside of Harrisburg, I wanted to be a Nittany Lion first before I even thought of wanting to be in the Super Bowl. To continue to have the support means a lot."
Adding to the bond between the two former Nittany Lions is the tie to Central Pennsylvania. Both are proud to be representing the Harrisburg area. By no means was it an easy journey for either player to reach the top level of the sport. Both battled through adversity growing up in tough areas, but you won't find two more humble individuals when it comes to the pride in playing for the folks from their hometowns.
"Especially for the younger kids in the community where we are from, to be able to inspire them and show them that they can do whatever they want if they put their minds to it, that's the main thing I am so happy about making the Super Bowl in my first year," said Gilliam. "You know, I cam from nothing and didn't take the easy route to get to where I'm at now. But if you keep focused and don't let the hurdles get to you, you can make it to wherever you want to go."
The Seahawks and Patriots are in the final stages of a busy week in Arizona. While this is Hill's second-straight trip to the Super Bowl, he said that the experience is unmatched.
"You really can't compare the experience to anything else," Hill said. "It's once in a lifetime. It's just one of those things that you just have to do it to even process what is going on around you."
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