'Represent that Big Orange': Three former Vols to play in Super Bowl

INDIANAPOLIS — Shaun Ellis feared for his life.

INDIANAPOLIS — Any other time, says Jerod Mayo, he'd be rooting for Deon Grant to win a Super Bowl. That's the way it is between players who competed for the University of Tennessee.

Mayo's problem for today's Super Bowl XLI is that while Grant will be lining up at safety for the New York Giants, Mayo and another former UT standout, defensive end Shaun Ellis, will be across the field with the New England Patriots.

No question: Current team outweighs alma mater.

"There is some pride in it, having three Tennessee guys in the Super Bowl," Mayo said during Tuesday's media session. "And I always pull for other Vols, as long as they're not playing against us. You always like to see Vols do well, but this time Deon is on his own."

New York Giants strong safety Deon Grant (34) interviews Tyler Sash (39) during Media Day for NFL football's Super Bowl XLVI Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Grant understands the sentiment.

"We try to make sure wherever we're playing, whatever we're doing, we represent that Big Orange," he said. "Jerod and Shaun, they're the only two guys I'll root against also. But we definitely wish each other health and success throughout our careers. We're just all trying to win as many Super Bowls as we can, to say guys from Tennessee definitely represented."

All three of the former Vols have put together outstanding NFL careers.

Grant, like Ellis, will be playing in his first Super Bowl. He's in his second season with the Giants after previous stops in Carolina, Jacksonville and Seattle. He was an all-American after his junior season at Tennessee, one year after an interception against Florida helped pave the way to the 1998 BCS national championship.

Now 32, he had 64 tackles and one interception in the regular season, and, like the rest of the Giants, peaked at the right time.

"We have to be feeling good," he said. "We're at the last game of the season, and that's what it's all about."

On the other sideline, Ellis, 34, is in his first Super Bowl after spending his first 11 seasons with the New York Jets. He has been a situational player for the Patriots, subbing in on the defensive line and making 14 tackles.

Mayo, at 25, is the

youngest of the three and also is preparing for his first Super Bowl. He earned second-team all-America honors at UT after a 140-tackle season in 2007, and in 2008 — the year after the Patriots' last trip to the Super Bowl, a 17-14 loss to the Giants — was the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year.

The 6-foot-1, 245-pound linebacker had 95 tackles and two interceptions in the regular season.

He said the coaches and the fans at Tennessee should be credited for the three Vols in the game.

"You start with Coach (Phillip) Fulmer. You know he was a great coach and he's also a great father figure," Mayo said. "You start out as a boy, and he raises you to a man, and then helps you become a better football player.

"Then you see those fans down there. Football is huge. My favorite tradition would have to be running through the 'T.' You know when you see that 'T' coming up it's time to play some ball."

Fans in Indianapolis had hoped to see a different Tennessee product, Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, in their hometown Super Bowl. "Peyton already won his, brought this city a Super Bowl ring and a lot of record-breaking also," said Grant.

And now his fans are mostly cheering for his little brother, Giants quarterback Eli, and against their team's chief rivals, the Patriots.

New England Patriots defensive end Shaun Ellis, right, stretches during practice on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012, in Indianapolis. The Patriots are scheduled to face the New York Giants in NFL football Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

"I played with Peyton for two years, and I know he'd rather be playing than watching," said Ellis. "But this time around it's our turn."

That's all good for Mayo, too, even if he suspects Peyton may go over the scouting report with the opposing quarterback.

"Peyton is a Vol, so hopefully he'll take it a little easy on me," Mayo said. "When this is all over, maybe we can all get together and talk about the good old days."