SUPER BOWL XLIV: An Inside Look at the Players Going to Battle for the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints

Super Bowl XLIV is just around to corner and it should prove to be a great gridiron battle. The New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts have clawed their way to the top and now will meet to see who is the best of the best in the NFL. Although football is a team sport, each team is broken down into individuals who’ve come to the field every week this season to bring their respective teams all the way to this coveted event. To know the teams is to know the individuals that make up these teams. What I have put together here is a snapshot of each ofteh starters you will see on the field. So as you are watching the game you can amaze your friends with little known tidbits about each player.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Charlie Johnson was born in Sherman, Texas where he attended Sherman High School. Johnson was an all-district TE as senior with 13 of 135 receptions and 1 TD He also had a co-MVP of district in basketball. Johnson and his wife, Nicole, live in Sherman, Texas.

STATS
Number. 74
Position: Offensive tackle
DOB: May 2, 1984 (1984-05-02)
Born: Durant, Oklahoma
Ht: 6 ft 4
Wt: 305 lb

CAREER
College: Oklahoma State
NFL Draft: 2006 / Round: 6 / Pick: 199
Started in 2006 for the Indianapolis Colts

HIGHLIGHTS
Kansas City Chiefs signed Lilja as an undrafted free agent before the 2004 season. Coach Dick Vermeil put him on the practice squad. He was released and the Indianapolis Colts picked up Lilja for the offensive line. The Colts re-signed Lilja on February 19, 2008, to a five-year deal worth $20 million.

STATS
No. 65
Position: Guard

PERSONAL INFORMATION
DOB: October 15, 1981
Born: Kansas City, Missouri
HT: 6 ft 2 in
WT: 290 lb
Career information
College: Kansas State
Undrafted in 2004
Started: 2004 for the Indianapolis Colts

Career:
Kansas City Chiefs (2004)*
Indianapolis Colts (2004-present)

THE HIGHLIGHTS
Saturday was born on June 8, 1975 in Atlanta. He played at North Carolina.

Saturday went to Shamrock High School in Georgia and played college football at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, He was undrafted in the 1998 NFL Draft, and the Ravens signed him as a free agent on April 27, 1998, then waiving him on June 12, 1998. The Colts signed him as a free agent on January 1999.

Saturday backed up starting guard Steve McKinney in his first year. He remains a starter on the Colts' offensive line.

Saturday was selected to his second NFL Pro Bowl in 2006, and started for the AFC squad. In his first eight NFL seasons with the Colts, Saturday was in 121 regular season games, starting in 112. He also started in 12 playoff games.

He is also a member of the Executive Committee of the National Football League.

STATS
No. 63 
Position:Center

PERSONAL INFORMATION
DOB: June 8, 1975
Birthplace: Atlanta, Georgia
Ht: 6 ft 2 in
Wt: 295 lb
College: North Carolina
Undrafted in 1998
Debuted in 1999 for the Indianapolis Colts

HISTORY
Baltimore Ravens (1998)*
Indianapolis Colts (1999-present)

THE HIGHLIGHTS
Reggie Wayne was was the 30th selection in the 2001 NFL Draft.

He became a starter in the 2003 season, with 68 receptions for 838 yards and 7 TDs. Wayne caught 77 passes in his second season for 1,210 yards and 12 TDs. 2005 brought 83 completions, leading into a $39.5 million contract renewal in 2006, where he went on to make 86 receptions for a career-high 1,310 yards and 9 TDs. Wayne was selected to the Pro Bowl that same year.

2007 saw Wayne leading the league with 104 receptions for 1510 yards and a return to the Pro Bowl for the second year in a row. 2008 brought another Pro Bowl visit as a result of his 82 catches for 1145 yards and six touchdowns that season.

STATS
Number 87
Pos: Wide Receiver

PERSONAL INFORMATION
DOB: Nov. 17, 1978
Born: New Orleans, LA
Ht: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Wt: 198 lb (90 kg)

CAREER
College: Univ. of Miami
NFL Draft: 2001 / Round: 1 / Pick: 30

HISTORY
Indianapolis Colts (2001-Present)

STATS
Receptions: 676
Receiving yards: 9,393
Receiving avg: 13.9
Receiving TDs: 63

HIGHLIGHTS
Born: February 10, 1985, Sacramento, California

He was signed by the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Oregon State.

DeVan has also been a member of the New York Jets and Boise Burn.

STATS

No. 66
Position: Guard

PERSONAL INFORMATION
DOB: February 10, 1985
Place of birth: Sacramento, California
HT: 6 ft 2 in
WT: 306 lb

CAREER
College: Oregon State
Debuted in 2009 for the Boise Burn

Ryan Diem was born in Carol Stream, He attended Glenbard North High School. He was a USA Today All-America honorable-mention and Chicago Tribune All-State as a senior. He had 43 tackles and eight sacks as DL as senior and was all-state in track, setting school indoor (60’6") and outdoor (63’1") records in shot put. He was a 4-time honor roll student, graduating with a 4.97 (out of 5.0) gpa. He has partnered with "Allie and Friends" a charity golf outing raising funds for Children's Neuroblastoma Cander Foundation. Diem was honored in 2008 as Northern Illinois Outstanding Young Alumni. Diem and his wife, Julie, reside in Zionsville.

STATS
No. 71
Position: Offensive tackle

PERSONAL
DOB: July 1, 1979
Birthplace: Roselle, Illinois

HT: 6 ft 6 in 
WT: 320 lb

CAREER INFORMATION
College: Northern Illinois
NFL Draft: 2001 / Round: 4 / Pick: 118

HIGHLIGHTS
Dallas Clark was born in Sioux Falls, S.D and attended Twin River Valley High School. He had 160 tackles his senior year and 140 stops as junior. Clark was second-team all-state at LB his senior year and honorable mention all-state as a junior. He was team captain as senior and was MVP in his last two seasons. Clark earned four letters in football, basketball and track and five letters in baseball. Clark and his wife, Karen, live in Livermore, Iowa.

STATS
No. 44
Position: Tight end

PERSONAL
DOB: June 12, 1979
Birthplace: Sioux Falls, South Dakota
HT: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
WT: 252 lb (114 kg)

CAREER
College: Iowa
NFL Draft: 2003 / Round: 1 / Pick: 2

Pierre Garcon was born in Carmel, NY and attended John I. Leonard High School Green Acres, FL. He earned two letters in football, and competed in track and soccer. Garcon is single and lives in West Palm Beach, Fla.

STATS
No. 85
Position: Wide receiver

PERSONAL
DOB: August 8, 1985
BIRTHPLACE: Carmel, New York
HT: 6 ft 0 in
WT: 210 lb

CAREER:
College: Mount Union
NFL Draft: 2008 / Round: 6 / Pick: 205

Peyton Manning was born in New Orleans, LA and went to Isidore Newman High School where he helped his team to a 34-5 record during his three seasons as starter.

Manning was the Gatorade Circle of Champions National Player-of-the-Year and Columbus Touchdown Club National Offensive Player-of-the-Year during his senior year. He was also named 1997 NCAA Top VIII for Outstanding Senior Student-Athlete in Athletics, Academics and Community Service.

Manning founded the PeyBack Foundation in 1999 to help disadvantaged youth by assisting programs that provide the necessary leadership and growth opportunities for at-risk youth.

In 2005, Manning won the Byron “Whizzer” White Humanitarian Award following his father, Archie (1978), in receiving the award.

A portion of the Manning Passing Academy igoes to Special Olympics of Louisiana and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, in addition to St. Vincent Hospital and Health Services in Indianapolis.

Father Archie, was an All-America choice at Ole Miss in 1969 and 1970, and was in the NFL for 14 years with with New Orleans (1971-82), Houston (1982-83) and Minnesota (1983-84).

His brother, Eli, is the starting quarterback for the New York Giants and was the MVP of Super Bowl XLII.

Manning and his wife, Ashley, reside in Indianapolis.

STATS
No. 18
Position: Quarterback

PERSONAL:
DOB: March 24, 1976
Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana
HT: 6 ft 5 in
WT: 230 lb

CAREER
Tennessee
NFL Draft: 1998 / Round: 1

Joseph Addai was born in Houston, Texas where he went to Sharpstown High School. Addai was the starting quaterback and an ESPN and Fox Sports All-America selection. He was also a member of the Houston Chronicle Top 100 and a first-team 5A all-state choice. He had 37-91-425 passing and 159-1,429, 26 TDs rushing as senior.

Addai was first LSU running back to be a NFL first-round selection since Harvey Williams in 1991 (21st overall, Kansas City Chiefs). Addai is single and lives in Houston, Texas.

STATS
No. 29 
Position: Running back

PERSONAL

DOB: May 3, 1983
Birthplace: Houston, Texas
HT: 6 ft 0 in 
WT: 205 lb

CAREER
College: Louisiana State
NFL Draft: 2006 / Round: 1 / Pick: 30

Gijon Robinson was born in Denver, CO and went to Waynesville High School in Waynesville, MO. HE was an all-conference and all-state player as a senior. He played TE, WR and LB and lettered in basketball. Robinson is single and lives in Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo.

STATS
No. 47
Position: Tight end / Fullback

PERSONAL
DOB: October 12, 1984
Birthplace: Denver, Colorado
HT: 6 ft 1 in
WT: 255 lb

CAREER
College: Missouri Western State
Undrafted in 2007
Debuted in 2008 for the Indianapolis Colts

Antonio Johnson was born in Greenville, MS and went to Leland High School. He played two years of high school football while also playing basketball and baseball Johnson is single and has one daughter, Mahogany. They live in Leland, MS.

STATS
No. 99
Position:Defensive tackle

PERSONAL
DOB: December 8, 1984
Birthplace: Greenville, Mississippi
HT: 6 ft 3 in
WT: 310 lb

CAREER
College: Mississippi State
NFL Draft: 2007 / Round: 5 / Pick: 152

Robert Mathis was born in Atlanta, Ga and went to McNair High School. He has helped the Indianapolis Public Schools Foundation with its “Food 4 Thought” fundraisers. He also hosted fundraisers for the Boys and Girls Club of Huntsville, Ala. and has given more than $7,000 to college and high school sports programs. Mathis is a member of Omega Psi Phi. He is single and living in Atlanta, Ga.

STATS
No. 98
Position: Defensive End

PERSONAL

DOB: February 26, 1981
Birthplace: Atlanta, Georgia
HT: 6 ft 2 in
WT: 245 lb

CAREER
College: Alabama A&M
NFL Draft: 2003 / Round: 5 / Pick: 138
Debuted in 2003 for the Indianapolis Colts

Daniel Muir was born in Washington, D.C and went to Parkdale High School in Riverdale, MD. Muir was a letterman. playing DT and OG positions. He was an all-state player with 96 tackles, including 13.5 sacks in his senior year. He had 179 tackles, including 28.5 sacks in his final two seasons.

Muir lettered in wrestling, ranking second in state as junior and third as senior.

Muir and his wife, Kristin, live in Lanham, MD.

STATS
No. 90
Position: Defensive tackle
DOB: September 12, 1983
Birthplace: Washington, D.C.
HT: 6 ft 3 in
WT: 312 lb

CAREER
College: Kent State
Undrafted in 2007
Debuted in 2007 for the Green Bay Packers

Dwight Freeney was born in Bloomfield, Conn and went to Bloomfield High School in Bloomfield (CN. HE was a SuperPrep, Hartford Courant, USA Today, New Haven Register, Prep Football Report, and Blue Chip Illustrated All-America selection. Freeney also lettered at TE and was All-Central Connecticut West pick. He had three letters in football, four in basketball and baseball and one in soccer.

Freeney was part of the “Shop with a Colt” program, leading underprivileged children on shopping spree for bicycles, sports equipment and apparel. He also established the Dwight Freeney Full-Contact Football Camp with proceeds going to different charities.

Freeney is single and lives in Bloomfield, Conn.

STATS
No. 93
Position: Defensive End

PERSONAL
DOB: February 19, 1980
Birthplace: Hartford, Connecticut
HT: 6 ft 1 in
WT: 268 lb

CAREER
College: Syracuse
NFL Draft: 2002 / Round: 1 / Pick: 11
Debuted in 2002 for the Indianapolis Colts

Philip Wheeler was born in Columbus, Ga and went to Shaw High School. HE was a 4-A First-Team all-state choice. As team captain, Wheeler had 106 tackles, 34 for losses. He helped his team to state title during his sophomore year.

Wheeler is single and lives in Columbus, Ga.

FACTS
No. 50
Position: Linebacker

PERSONAL
DOB: December 12, 1984
Birthplace: Columbus, Georgia
HT: 6 ft 2 in
WT: 240 lb

CAREER
College: Georgia Tech
NFL Draft: 2008 / Round: 3 / Pick: 93
Debuted in 2008 for the Indianapolis Colts

Gary Brackett was born in Glassboro, N.J and attended Glassboro High School. Brackett was an All-South Jersey selection in 1996 and 1997 and All-Group I and all-conference choice during those seasons.

Brackett founded Gary Brackett IMPACT Foundation to help children affected by cancer. He also works with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society with Pennies for Patients program.

Brackett conducts football camp for kids ages 8 to 18 in Glassboro. He has one daughter, Gabrielle. They live in Glassboro.

FACT
No. 58
Position: Linebacker

PERSONAL
DOB: May 23, 1980
Birthplace: Glassboro, New Jersey
HT: 5 ft 11 in
WT: 235 lb

CAREER
College: Rutgers
Undrafted in 2003
Debuted in 2003 for the Indianapolis Colts

Clinton Session Jr was born in Pompano Beach, FL and went toBlanche Ely High School.  He was a first-team All-Florida 5A choice, first-team All-Broward County Athletic Association and All-Broward County.  Session lettered all four years and was a three-year starter at MLB.  He also lettered in track and field.  He was a FB in goal-line situations and his team was 36-5 during three years as a starter.  Session had 138 tackles, seven sacks and eleven fumble recoveries, returning three for scores.  He led his team to a state title with 14-1 record during his senior year and was selected to Broward-Dale County All-Star Game.…

Session was an honor roll student.  He is single and lives in Pompano Beach, FL.

Kelvin Hayden, Jr was born in Chicago, Ill and went to Hubbard High School. He was a four-year all-conference selection and ran for 792 total yards even though he missed seven games his senior year. He had 2,315 yards and 33 touchdowns rushing as a junior and made 21 touchdown passes and seven rushing TDs as sophomore QB. He led his team and finished second in state with 10 interceptions as freshman DB. HAyden was a city league track champion in 55- and 200-meters indoors and 100-and 200-meters outdoors.

Hayden is single and lives in Chicago, Ill.

FACTS
No. 26
Position: Cornerback

PERSONAL
DOB: July 23, 1983
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois
HT: 6 ft 0 in
WT: 195 lb

CAREER
College: Illinois
NFL Draft: 2005 / Round: 2 / Pick: 60
Debuted in 2005 for the Indianapolis Colts

Melvin Bullitt was born in Bryan, Texas and raised in Dallas. HE went to Naaman Forest High School where he was team MVP in his senior year, totaling 78 tackles, 43 solo, five passes defensed, three interceptions, three fumble recoveries and one FF.

Bullitt is single and lives in Garland, Texas.

FACTS
No. 33
Position: Defensive back

PERSONAL
DOB: November 13, 1984
Birthplace: Bryan, Texas
HT: 6 ft 1 in
WT: 201 lb

CAREER
College: Texas A&M
Undrafted in 2007
Debuted in 2007 for the Indianapolis Colts

Antoine Bethea was born in Savannah, Ga where he went to Denbigh High School. Bethea was a lettered three years in football, once in basketball, and earned all-area and all-conference honors in his senior year. He hosted a football camp in his hometown of Newport News, Va.

Bethea is single and resides in Newport News, Va.

FACT
No. 41
Position: Free safety

PERSONAL
DOB: July 27, 1984
Birthplace: Savannah, Georgia
HT: 5 ft 11 in
WT: 205 lb

CAREER
College: Howard
NFL Draft: 2006 / Round: 6 / Pick: 207
Debuted in 2006 for the Indianapolis Colts