On Sunday night in San Francisco, Charles Cross made history as the 41st Mississippi State player to participate in the Super Bowl, helping the Seattle Seahawks claim a decisive 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots. Playing every snap at left tackle, the Laurel native was instrumental in guiding the Seahawks to their second franchise Super Bowl title, their first since 2013.
Seahawks Control the Game with Strong Defense and Offense
Seattle set the tone early, building a 12-0 lead by halftime and extending their advantage to 19-0 in the fourth quarter. Although New England’s late touchdown tightened the score, the Patriots were unable to overcome the deficit despite having the ball with more than 10 minutes remaining. The Seahawks finished the season with a dominant 17-3 record, securing the top seed in the NFC ahead of the playoffs.
Mississippi State’s Legacy in the Super Bowl Continues
Charles Cross now joins a growing list of Mississippi State players who have earned Super Bowl rings, becoming the 27th Bulldog to win a championship. He is the second former Mississippi State player to win a title with the Seahawks, following linebacker KJ Wright’s victory in 2013. This victory marks the fourth straight year that a Bulldogs alumnus has been part of a Super Bowl-winning team — Philadelphia Eagles‘ cornerback Darius Slay took home the trophy last season, while Chris Jones and Willie Gay won with the Kansas City Chiefs the two years prior.
Charles Cross’s Remarkable Journey From High School to NFL Star
Cross capped off his fourth NFL season in spectacular fashion, having been the Seahawks’ starting left tackle since being drafted. He has started all 62 regular season games he has played, overcoming an injury that sidelined him briefly this year before returning for the playoffs. A standout at Laurel High School, Cross was a five-star recruit in 2019 and ranked the nation’s No. 27 overall player and No. 5 offensive tackle, choosing Mississippi State over several top programs.
Collegiate Success Under Coaches Moorhead and Leach
After redshirting his freshman year under coach Joe Moorhead, Cross quickly rose to prominence. Under Mike Leach the following season, he started nearly every game and earned Freshman All-SEC honors. As a sophomore, he emerged as one of the nation’s best offensive tackles, leading the SEC in pass blocking grade and ranking second in run blocking, allowing just two sacks over 919 pass attempts in the team’s Air Raid offense.
Accolades and Record-Breaking NFL Contract
Following a stellar college career that included First-Team All-SEC and multiple All-American honors, Cross was selected ninth overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. He recently signed a four-year, $104.4 million contract, the most lucrative deal ever awarded to a non-quarterback in Seahawks history.
Seahawks’ Super Bowl Triumph Marks New Era
The Seahawks’ convincing championship win signals a bright future for the franchise, powered by athletes like Charles Cross who have demonstrated resilience and elite skill. As Cross continues to grow as a cornerstone of Seattle’s offensive line, the team looks poised to compete at the highest level for years to come, bolstered by an impressive season and a landmark playoff performance.
