Colorado University Athletics
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Buffs Represented in Super Bowl LX
February 06, 2026 | Football
BOULDER — If there is a face for the phrase "started from the bottom, now we're here," it belongs to former Colorado standout Brady Russell.
Russell will serve as a special teams captain for the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX, set for Sunday, Feb. 8, in San Francisco against the New England Patriots. It marks the second consecutive postseason captaincy for Russell, who also held the role during Seattle's NFC Championship Game victory over the Los Angeles Rams.
A Fort Collins native, Russell began his football journey at Fossil Ridge High School, where he played defensive end and tight end. Rated as a two-star recruit, he bypassed scholarship opportunities at lower division programs and instead he chose to wager on his own ability, joining Colorado as a walk on under former head coach Mike MacIntyre in 2017.
That decision paid off. Russell was named the team's Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year and earned a scholarship following the season, setting the foundation for a professional career defined by persistence and versatility.
After going undrafted, Russell signed with the Philadelphia Eagles before later being added to their practice squad. Seattle claimed him shortly thereafter, and he quickly became a fixture on the Seahawks' special teams units. Russell earned recognition for his impact across all four core special teams phases kickoff return and coverage, punt return and coverage while also contributing on the field goal and PAT units.
During Seattle's playoff run, Russell played a pivotal role in one of the postseason's defining special teams moments. Lined up alongside linebacker Patrick O'Connell, Russell executed a perfectly timed cross block that sprung Rashid Shaheed for a touchdown on the opening play of the Seahawks' divisional round victory over San Francisco.
Other CU Connections in Super Bowl LX
• Christian Gonzalez played two seasons at Colorado as a cornerback (2020–21), appearing in all 18 games and earning All-Pac 12 honorable mention honors before transferring to Oregon. Gonzalez will line up opposite Russell with the Patriots and was named to the 2026 AFC Pro Bowl.
• Cassidy Davis (Strategic Communication, 2023) previously served as a marketing and fan experience intern with CU Athletics and currently works full time as a corporate partnerships coordinator with the Seahawks.
• Sophia O'Dell (Marketing, 2025) was a former lead marketing and fan experience intern with CU Athletics and is currently a marketing intern with the Seahawks.
Russell will serve as a special teams captain for the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX, set for Sunday, Feb. 8, in San Francisco against the New England Patriots. It marks the second consecutive postseason captaincy for Russell, who also held the role during Seattle's NFC Championship Game victory over the Los Angeles Rams.
A Fort Collins native, Russell began his football journey at Fossil Ridge High School, where he played defensive end and tight end. Rated as a two-star recruit, he bypassed scholarship opportunities at lower division programs and instead he chose to wager on his own ability, joining Colorado as a walk on under former head coach Mike MacIntyre in 2017.
That decision paid off. Russell was named the team's Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year and earned a scholarship following the season, setting the foundation for a professional career defined by persistence and versatility.
After going undrafted, Russell signed with the Philadelphia Eagles before later being added to their practice squad. Seattle claimed him shortly thereafter, and he quickly became a fixture on the Seahawks' special teams units. Russell earned recognition for his impact across all four core special teams phases kickoff return and coverage, punt return and coverage while also contributing on the field goal and PAT units.
During Seattle's playoff run, Russell played a pivotal role in one of the postseason's defining special teams moments. Lined up alongside linebacker Patrick O'Connell, Russell executed a perfectly timed cross block that sprung Rashid Shaheed for a touchdown on the opening play of the Seahawks' divisional round victory over San Francisco.
Other CU Connections in Super Bowl LX
• Christian Gonzalez played two seasons at Colorado as a cornerback (2020–21), appearing in all 18 games and earning All-Pac 12 honorable mention honors before transferring to Oregon. Gonzalez will line up opposite Russell with the Patriots and was named to the 2026 AFC Pro Bowl.
• Cassidy Davis (Strategic Communication, 2023) previously served as a marketing and fan experience intern with CU Athletics and currently works full time as a corporate partnerships coordinator with the Seahawks.
• Sophia O'Dell (Marketing, 2025) was a former lead marketing and fan experience intern with CU Athletics and is currently a marketing intern with the Seahawks.
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