Where are yesterday’s Super Bowl heroes?

XXII – DOUG WILLIAMS

QB, Washington Redskins

Game played Jan. 31, 1988

Now: After a short stints as a scouting director for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and as the general manager of a United Football League expansion team in Virginia, Williams returned to his alma mater in 2011 to take up the head football coaching reins at Grambling State University in Louisiana. 

Then: Williams helped Washington to seal an early Super Bowl victory by throwing four touchdown passes in the second quarter of the Redskins’ 42-10 win over Denver. He also compiled a SB record 340 passing yards.

XXIII – JERRY RICE

WR, San Francisco 49ers

Game played Jan. 22, 1989

Now: TV appearances of various kinds have kept Rice in the public eye, including on ABC’s  “Dancing with the Stars,” where he finished second. He’s been seen working for ESPN during the current Super Bowl week.

Then: Rice racked up a Super Bowl record 215 receiving yards on 11 catches as the 49ers beat Cincinnati, 20-16.

XXV – OTTIS ANDERSON

RB, New York Giants

Game played Jan. 27, 1991

Now: Anderson is the president of Ottis J. Anderson Enterprises, which he set up in retirement to channel some of his entrepreneurial, community outreach, and philanthropic efforts. He has a store in West Orange, N.J., that sells a line of products for sports fans under the name Mooda Chainz, a reference to football’s “move the chains” mantra.

Then: Anderson was the key to a clock-eating, ball-control offense that led the Giants’ to their second Super Bowl victory, a 20-19 nail-biter over the cross-state Buffalo Bills. His 102 yards on 21 carries allowed New York to possess the ball for a record 40:33.

XXVI – MARK RYPIEN

QB, Washington Redskins

Game played Jan. 26, 1992

Now: The loss of a young son led Rypien to found the Rypien Foundation in Spokane, Wash., which helps families dealing with childhood cancer. He also has been the lead plaintiff in a class-action lawsuit brought against the NFL that seeks compensation for head injuries sustained playing football. 

Then: Rypien helped the Redskins to win their third Super Bowl by throwing for two touchdowns, while completing 18 of 33 passes for 292 yards, in a 37-20 victory over Buffalo. 

XXVII – TROY AIKMAN

QB, Dallas Cowboys

Game played Jan. 1, 1993

Now: Besides being the analyst who teams with Joe Buck in working NFL games for Fox Sports, Aikman oversees various real estate and business activities through Aikman Enterprises, based in Dallas. 

Then: Aikman tossed four touchdowns, including two just 18 seconds apart in the second quarter, as the Cowboys routed Buffalo, 52-17, en route to the first of three titles within a four-year span.

XXVIII – EMMITT SMITH

RB, Dallas Cowboys

Game played Jan. 30, 1994

Now: The NFL’s all-time rushing leader is the president and CEO of Emmitt Smith Enterprises, an umbrella organization for various businesses, including its core construction and real estate ventures. He has twice competed on TV’s “Dancing  with the Stars,” winning with his partner in 2006 and advancing to the semifinals in 2012.

 Then: Smith was the tireless go-to guy for Dallas, especially in the second half in the team’s 30-13 victory over Buffalo.  Nineteen of his carries came after the intermission, and on one eight-play, 64-yard touchdown drive he carried seven times. Altogether he ran for 132 yards and scored two TDs.

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