Super Bowl LIII: Michel and Gurley go from teammates to friendly rivals
SUPER BOWL LIII: Where players ranked as prospects | From five-stars to the Super Bowl | Two-stars that slipped through the cracks | Breaking down former three-stars
The last time former New England Patriots running back Sony Michel played a game inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium, he stood on the sideline for the game-deciding play. With his Georgia team up by three in overtime of the national championship game, Michel could only watch as Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa connected with Devonta Smith for the game-winning touchdown in overtime of the 2018 national title game.
Sharing in the disappointment that day was Michel’s former teammate and Georgia alum Todd Gurley, who made the trip to Atlanta to cheer on his alma mater and his friend Michel.
Fast forward a year and the two friends will once again be inside Mercedes-Benz, but this time, going head-to-head as opponents with a Super Bowl victory on the line.
“Last year he was behind us 100 percent, just telling us to go out there and play our hearts out,” Michel said. “This year, I’m excited for him, to see him go out there and play some ball. He’s been working his whole life for this opportunity.”
Michel’s face still lights up when he talks about Gurley, who helped mentor him during their one season together in 2014. Gurley on the other hand isn’t shy about giving his old teammate some good natured-ribbing.
“I remember when he first came in, he couldn’t run and catch,” Gurley said. “I had to teach him how to do all that stuff. Hopefully everything I taught him, he doesn’t do it and he just plays like he used to play before I taught him everything.”
No doubt Michel took what Gurley taught him and put it to good use, developing into a first round pick at Georgia and now leading the Patriots in rushing in his first season in the pros.
Gurley said Michel is “super lucky” to get to experience the Super Bowls as rookie and as a Georgia alum, he’s happy to have his school well represented on the biggest stage.
While Gurley is never shy about stumping for his alma mater, it’s clear that he fact that both starting running backs in the Super Bowl were on the same team at the same time in college is very rare.
A fact that isn’t lost Rams head coach Sean McVay or Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.
“I think Kirby (Smart’s) program is excellent to prepare guys for the National Football League,” he said.
McVay took it a step further, praising both Georgia’s development and recruitment.
“I think it’s a representation of the consistency of which those guys put out big-time NFL players,” McVay said. “They’re in a culture and atmosphere and environment that’s conducive for helping them develop. They get great players that are really talented and we’re really fortunate to have Todd Gurley. He’s a special player and those Georgia backs -- there’s something right about what they’re doing down there.”
No matter which former Bulldog comes out on top, the pair of dynamic playmakers will remain close off the field and Michel said he already knows what he will say to Gurley postgame, win or lose.
“Let me get that jersey.”