The achievements of New Eagle's Joe Montana in the Super Bowl with San Francisco are well known.
There are other football standouts from the region who played in the big game. They include Fred Cox, Donora; Sam Havrilak, Monessen; Doug Crusan, Monessen; Myron Pottios, Van Voorhis; and Scott Zolak, Rostraver.
Montana led the 49ers to the first four of their five Super Bowl victories. He was selected as the Super Bowl's Most Valuable Player three times.
Cox was the Minnesota Vikings' starting place-kicker and played in all four of the Vikings' Super Bowl setbacks in the 1970s. Despite a brilliant professional career where Cox won two NFL scoring titles and led the Vikings in scoring 11 times in 13 years, Cox was unsuccessful in two Super Bowl field goal attempts and kicked four extra-points.
Monessen's Sam Havrilak owns the distinction of being the first player in Super Bowl history to complete a pass, catch a pass, and take a handoff in the big game. He accomplished this during the Colts' 16-13 Super Bowl V over Dallas in 1971.
Crusan was a starting offensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins and played in three consecutive Super Bowls (VI, VII and VIII) with triumphs in the last two. He was selected All-Pro in 1972.
Pottios, a three-time Pro Bowl selection at linebacker, played for the Washington Redskins' team that loss to Crusan's undefeated Miami team in Super Bowl VII. Previously, Pottios starred for Pittsburgh and the Los Angeles Rams.
Zolak was the backup quarterback to Drew Bledsoe on New England's 1996 AFC champion team that lost to Green Bay in Super Bowl XXXI. A scholastic standout at Ringgold High School, he played seven years for the New England Patriots and one for Miami.
Havrilek would have been the first Mon Valley football player to throw a touchdown pass in a Super Bowl if not for arguably the most bizarre play in that game's history.
With nine minutes remaining in the game and Dallas still protecting a 13-6 lead, Colts quarterback Earl Morrall lateraled to Havrilak, but when Havrilak looked to return the ball to Morrall, imposing defensive tackle Jethro Pugh obstructed his view.
Undeterred, the former Bucknell University quarterback sized up the situation and threw in the direction of tight end John Mackey. The football never reached Mackey. Eddie Hinton got to it first, caught the football and headed for the goal line.
En route, the ball was knocked from Hinton's grasp and rolled through the end zone. Havrilak's would-be touchdown pass was recorded as a 25-yard reception.
Inducted into the Mid-Mon Valley All Sports Hall of Fame in 1999, Havrilak played six different positions, as well as special teams in a six-year career in the National Football League.
