Where are yesterday’s Super Bowl heroes?

Then: Csonka was the workhorse in Miami’s second consecutive Super Bowl win, a 24-7 domination of the Minnesota Vikings. He ran the ball a then-SB record 33 times, gained 145 yards, and scored two touchdowns. 

IX – FRANCO HARRIS

RB Pittsburgh Steelers

Game played Jan. 12, 1975

Now: Harris has been actively involved in the food industry for a number of years, now as an executive with RSuper Foods, which does a national business selling what it markets as nutritional donuts and baked products. He also is listed as a Conti Professor of the School of Hospitality and Management at Penn State University, his alma mater. In 2008, Harris was part of the Pennsylvania delegation at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, and in 2009 his son, Franco “Dok” Harris, ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Pittsburgh.

Then: Franco Harris broke the one-year-old Super Bowl record by carrying 34 times, while gaining 158 yards and scoring one touchdown. The effort was the key offensive contribution in Pittsburgh’s first Super Bowl championship. 

X – LYNN SWANN

WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

Game played Jan. 18, 1976

Now: In 2006 he ran unsuccessfully as the Republican candidate for governor of Pennsylvania, but he has kept a lot of other irons in the fire. Besides being the co-owner of the Arena Football League’s Pittsburgh Power franchise, he sits on the boards of a number of corporations, including H.J. Heinz Company.  He also is managing director of Diamond Edge Capital Partners, a financial market firm, and has been a national spokesman for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America since 1980.

Then: Swann made only four catches in Pittsburgh’s 21-17 victory over Dallas, but he was named the Super Bowl’s MVP because of his 161 receiving yards , including one on a 62-yard, fourth-quarter TD grab.  A spectacular first-half reception in which he is stretched out horizontally over a fallen defender is is captured in one of the most famous photographs in Super Bowl history.

XI – FRED BILETNIKOFF

WR Oakland Raiders

Game played Jan. 9, 1977

Now: In June Biletnikoff spoke at the sentencing hearing of the man convicted of murdering his daughter, Tracey, 13 years ago. Since a boyfriend took her life, Biletnikoff has devoted his efforts to the Biletnikoff Foundation in Dublin, Calif., which supports young women recovering from substance abuse and providing domestic-violence prevention education.

Then: In Oakland’s 32-14 Super Bowl win over Minnesota, Biletnikoff made four catches for 79 yards. Three set up touchdowns. 

XII – RANDY WHITE and HARVEY MARTIN (deceased 2001)

Defensive linemen, Dallas Cowboys

Game played Jan. 15, 1978

Now: White, who was named MVP the only time the award was shared, is a spokesman for Smoky Mountain Snuff. His late teammate and co-MVP established the Harvey Martin Dream Foundation with his sister before his death. The mission of the foundation, based in DeSoto, Texas, is to improve the educational experience of marginal minority high school students.

Then: White and Martin wreaked havoc along the line of scrimmage and while rushing the passer against Denver, forcing the Broncos into eight turnovers in Dallas’s 27-10 Super Bowl victory. It is the only time two players have shared MVP honors.

XIII and XIV – TERRY BRADSHAW

QB Pittsburgh Steelers

Games played Jan. 21, 1979 and Jan. 20, 1980

Now: Bradshaw is a studio analyst on “Fox NFL Sunday.”  He also has recorded country and gospel music.

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