Spartan stars Kenneth Walker and Bryce Baringer chase Super Bowl glory. Can they help lead their teams to victory on the ultimate stage?
New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks: Part Two
It’s official — we’re down to the final two teams remaining in the NFL, and it’s a rematch of one of the most unforgettable Super Bowl endings in history.
If you’re new to football or have been living under a rock, it was 12 years ago at the one-yard line when the Seattle Seahawks chose to throw the ball instead of handing it to the earth-quaking Marshawn Lynch. That decision resulted in a game-sealing interception by Malcolm Butler.
That moment changed the course of NFL history. Richard Sherman was memed into oblivion, Russell Wilson was eventually shipped out of town, and then-head coach Pete Carroll retired, came back to the NFL in Las Vegas, and got fired again.
On the other end, Tom Brady won yet another Super Bowl, and Malcolm Butler’s life changed forever — going from undrafted free agent to Super Bowl icon. Since then, the Patriots added another Lombardi Trophy, while Seattle slowly faded from contention.
Now, 12 years later, we’re back for Part Deux between New England and Seattle.
Only this time, if the Seahawks find themselves at the one-yard line with a chance to win the game, they’d better rely on a Michigan State Spartan alumnus — Kenneth Walker.
Walker is heading to his first Super Bowl, representing the Green and White with the Seattle Seahawks.
After spending most of the season splitting carries with teammate Zach Charbonnet, Walker was forced into a bigger role after Charbonnet suffered a season-ending injury in the final game of the regular season. Since then, Walker has stepped up in a huge way, helping Seattle advance through the playoffs.
He opened the NFC Championship Game against the Los Angeles Rams with a touchdown on Seattle’s first drive and scored twice in the Divisional Round.
This is nothing new for Spartan fans, who remember Walker exploding onto the scene during his lone season at Michigan State. He finished with 1,636 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns — including five scores against Michigan in one of the most epic Michigan vs. Michigan State games in rivalry history.
Walker has proven time and time again he can put an entire team on his back in the biggest moments.
Walker is one of two Spartan alumni playing in San Francisco in the Super Bowl. Joining him is his former 2021 MSU teammate — punter Bryce Baringer.
Opposing Walker on the New England Patriots is Baringer, who Spartan fans remember for his post-COVID dominance in East Lansing. In 2022, he ended his MSU career as Big Ten Punter of the Year, First Team All-Big Ten, a Consensus All-American, and Mel Kiper’s top punting prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Baringer was selected in the sixth round (192nd overall) by the Patriots and has been a steady, reliable weapon for New England ever since.
One Spartan just missed out on Super Bowl festivities — Denver Broncos linebacker Jordan Turner, who transferred to Michigan State last season. Turner totaled nine tackles for the Spartans after joining the team in Week 5 and went on to appear in seven games for Denver this year after going undrafted.
Now, Kenneth Walker and Bryce Baringer stand just 60 football minutes away from winning a Super Bowl.
Only one will get it done.