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The oldest players to appear on Super Bowl rosters
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The oldest players to appear on Super Bowl rosters

Sports are typically young athletes' endeavors, but there are certainly exceptions to that rule. In fact, some truly high-profile players across all sports have flourished — and continue to — in their late 30s and more and more even into their 40s.

Here we lay out the oldest players to ever appear on Super Bowl rosters.

 
1 of 35

Steve DeBerg, Age 45: Super Bowl XXXIII

Steve DeBerg, Age 45: Super Bowl XXXIII
Robert Sullivan / Getty Images

DeBerg served as Chris Chandler's backup in Super Bowl XXXIII, a 34-19 loss to Denver. While he didn't appear in the game, DeBerg did start one game during the regular season for the Falcons.

 
2 of 35

Tom Brady, Age 43: Super Bowl LV

Tom Brady, Age 43: Super Bowl LV
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Brad became the oldest player to ever appear in a Super Bowl at age 43. Incredibly, it was his 10th Super Bowl appearance, seventh win, and fifth Super Bowl MVP

 
3 of 35

Matt Stover, Age 42: Super Bowl XLIV

Matt Stover, Age 42: Super Bowl XLIV
Doug Benc / Getty Images

The starting kicker for the Colts, Stover became the oldest player to ever play in a Super Bowl. He was 1-of-2 in field-goal attempts in Indianapolis' 31-17 loss to the Saints.

 
4 of 35

Jeff Feagles, Age 41: Super Bowl XLII

Jeff Feagles, Age 41: Super Bowl XLII
The Sporting News / Sporting News

Feagles was the Giants punter in their upset win over the previously undefeated Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. He had four punts during the game.

 
5 of 35

Matt Bryant, Age 41: Super Bowl LI

Matt Bryant, Age 41: Super Bowl LI
Brett Davis / USA Today Sports Images

Bryant was the third-oldest player to ever participate in the Super Bowl when he played in Super Bowl LI. The Atlanta kicker also made his first Pro Bowl that season.

 
6 of 35

Mike Horan, Age 40: Super Bowl XXXIV

Mike Horan, Age 40: Super Bowl XXXIV
Steve Schaefer / Getty Images

Horan punted for the Rams, as the Greatest Show on Turf beat the Titans, 23-16, in Super Bowl XXXIV. He had two punts during the game and was also tackled during a botched field goal.

 
7 of 35

Andrew Whitworth, Age 40: Super Bowl LVI

Andrew Whitworth, Age 40: Super Bowl LVI
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Whitworth started at left tackle, protecting Matthew Stafford's blindside in Super Bowl LVI at age 40. As a bonus, the veteran got to face his former team, the Cincinnati Bengals.

 
8 of 35

Tom Brady, Age 40: Super Bowl LII

Tom Brady, Age 40: Super Bowl LII
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images

Brady was the oldest quarterback to start in Super Bowl history in Super Bowl LII, surpassing Peyton Manning, when the Patriots faced the Eagles.

 
9 of 35

Jerry Rice, Age 40: Super Bowl XXXVII

Jerry Rice, Age 40: Super Bowl XXXVII
Donald Miralle / Getty Images

The ageless wonder and GOAT wide receiver, Rice had five catches for 77 yards and one score in Oakland's 48-21 loss to Tampa Bay in Super Bowl XXXVII.

 
10 of 35

Peyton Manning, Age 39: Super Bowl 50

Peyton Manning, Age 39: Super Bowl 50
Robert Hanashiro / USA Today Sports Images

Manning rode off into the sunset after the Broncos defeated Carolina, 24-10, in Super Bowl 50. He struggled during much of his final season but was able to manage the game against the Panthers, completing 13-of-23 passes for 141 yards and one interception.

 
11 of 35

Lomas Brown, Age 39: Super Bowl XXXVII

Lomas Brown, Age 39: Super Bowl XXXVII
Al Bello / Getty Images

Brown played his final season as a reserve offensive lineman for the Buccaneers in 2002 and claimed a Super Bowl ring at age 39, as the Bucs defeated Oakland, 48-21.

 
12 of 35

Earl Morrall, Age 39: Super Bowl VIII

Earl Morrall, Age 39: Super Bowl VIII
Focus on Sport

Morrall held the record as the oldest participant in a Super Bowl for 26 years, acting as Miami's backup quarterback and holder. He didn't attempt a pass, though, as the Dolphins beat Minnesota, 24-7.

 
13 of 35

Tom Brady, Age 39: Super Bowl LI

Tom Brady, Age 39: Super Bowl LI
Matthew Emmons / USA TODAY Sports Images

When the Patriots came from down 28-3 to win Super Bowl LI, 34-28, in the first overtime in Super Bowl history, Brady was 39 years old, winning his fifth Super Bowl title.

 
14 of 35

Mark Brunell, Age 39: Super Bowl XLIV

Mark Brunell, Age 39: Super Bowl XLIV
Chris Graythen / Getty Images

The former starting quarterback for Jacksonville and Washington, Brunell was Drew Brees' backup in Super Bowl XLIV as well as the team's holder. The Saints defeated Indianapolis, 31-17.

 
15 of 35

Jim Marshall, Age 39: Super Bowl XI

Jim Marshall, Age 39: Super Bowl XI
Focus on Sport / Getty Images

Marshall started at defensive end for the Vikings in their 32-14 loss to the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XI.

 
16 of 35

Junior Seau, Age 39: Super Bowl XLII

Junior Seau, Age 39: Super Bowl XLII
Boston Globe

Seau had two tackles for the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. The previously undefeated Patriots lost to the Giants, 17-14.

 
17 of 35

Jackie Smith, Age 38: Super Bowl XIII

Jackie Smith, Age 38: Super Bowl XIII
Focus on Sport

Smith played his final game with Dallas in Super Bowl XIII after 15 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals. Unfortunately he will be remembered for dropping a wide-open pass in the end zone in a 35-31 loss to Pittsburgh.

 
18 of 35

Earl Morrall, Age 38: Super Bowl VII

Earl Morrall, Age 38: Super Bowl VII
Focus on Sport

Morrall was Miami's backup quarterback and holder in the team's epic 17-0 undefeated season. The Dolphins won the Super Bowl, 14-7, over Washington, and it wasn't Morrall's final Super Bowl appearance.

 
19 of 35

John Elway, Age 38: Super Bowl XXXIII

John Elway, Age 38: Super Bowl XXXIII
Tony Ranze / AFP

Elway played his last game in Super Bowl XXXIII, as the Broncos beat the Falcons, 34-19. He was 18-of-29 for 336 yards and one touchdown, adding another score on the ground before being named Super Bowl MVP.

 
20 of 35

Brian Kinchen, Age 38: Super Bowl XXXVIII

Brian Kinchen, Age 38: Super Bowl XXXVIII
Brian Bahr / Getty Images

Kinchen was New England's long snapper during two regular-season games and the playoffs in 2003. He won a Super Bowl ring for his efforts, as the Patriots beat the Panthers, 32-29.

 
21 of 35

Bruce Matthews, Age 38: Super Bowl XXXIV

Bruce Matthews, Age 38: Super Bowl XXXIV
Robert Sullivan / AFP

Matthews started at left guard for the Titans against the Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV. His son Jake started at left tackle for the Falcons in Super Bowl LI.

 
22 of 35

Morten Andersen, Age 38: Super Bowl XXXIII

Morten Andersen, Age 38: Super Bowl XXXIII
Andy Lyons / Getty Images

Andersen was Atlanta's kicker in the Falcons' 34-19 loss to Denver in Super Bowl XXXIII. He was 2-of-3 in field-goal attempts during the game. Andersen played until age 47.

 
23 of 35

David Akers, Age 38: Super Bowl XLVII

David Akers, Age 38: Super Bowl XLVII
Rob Carr / Getty Images

Akers kicked for the 49ers in a losing effort, as the Ravens won Super Bowl XLVII, 34-31. He was 3-of-3 in field-goal attempts.

 
24 of 35

Fred Cox, Age 38: Super Bowl XI

Fred Cox, Age 38: Super Bowl XI
Diamond Images

Cox made two extra points for the Vikings in their 32-14 loss to the Raiders in Super Bowl XI.

 
25 of 35

Al Del Greco, Age 37: Super Bowl XXXIV

Al Del Greco, Age 37: Super Bowl XXXIV
Mary Ann Carter / Getty Images

Del Greco was only 1-of-3 in field-goal attempts in Tennessee's 23-16 loss to St. Louis in Super Bowl XXXIV.

 
26 of 35

Rod Woodson, Age 37: Super Bowl XXXVII

Rod Woodson, Age 37: Super Bowl XXXVII
Icon Sportswire / Getty Images

Woodson had an interception for the Raiders, but it wasn't nearly enough for Oakland in the 48-21 loss to Tampa Bay. The Hall of Fame safety played one more season for the Raiders before retiring.

 
27 of 35

Bobby Walden, Age 37: Super Bowl X

Bobby Walden, Age 37: Super Bowl X
Diamond Images

Walden had four punts for the Steelers in their 21-17 win over the Cowboys in Super Bowl X.

 
28 of 35

Peyton Manning, Age 37: Super Bowl XLVIII

Peyton Manning, Age 37: Super Bowl XLVIII
Focus on Sport / Getty Images

Manning had a record-breaking season in 2013 but didn't fare well in the Super Bowl against the Seahawks. Seattle defeated Denver, 43-8, as Manning was 34-of-49 for 280 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.

 
29 of 35

Lomas Brown, Age 37: Super Bowl XXXV

Lomas Brown, Age 37: Super Bowl XXXV
Jeff Haynes / AFP

The starting left tackle for the Giants in 2000, Brown's team didn't do well in Super Bowl XXXV. The Ravens defeated Brown's Giants, 34-7. Brown would win a Super Bowl two years later with the Buccaneers.

 
30 of 35

Donnie Jones, Age 37, Super Bowl LII

Donnie Jones, Age 37, Super Bowl LII
Eric Hartline / USA TODAY Sports Images

Eagles punter Donnie Jones is a 14-year veteran, and he joined the oldest players ever on a Super Bowl roster when he played in Super Bowl LII vs. the Patriots.

 
31 of 35

Dustin Colquitt, Age 37, Super Bowl LIV

Dustin Colquitt, Age 37, Super Bowl LIV
Denny Medley / USA Today Sports Images

Colquitt will make his first Super Bowl in his 15th season with the Chiefs. The left-footed kicker, whose dad, Craig, won two Super Bowls punting for Pittsburgh, has long been one of the top kickers in the league, making two Pro Bowls in his career.

 
32 of 35

Terrell Suggs, Age 37, Super Bowl LIV

Terrell Suggs, Age 37, Super Bowl LIV
Jay Biggerstaff / USA Today Sports Images

Suggs will be appearing in his second Super Bowl of his career after winning the big game with the Ravens in 2012. The future Hall of Fame pass rusher was claimed off waivers by the Chiefs late in the 2019 season.

 
33 of 35

Robbie Gould, Age 37, Super Bowl LIV

Robbie Gould, Age 37, Super Bowl LIV
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

A long-time reliable kicker for the Bears, Giants, and 49ers, Gould is set to appear in his second Super Bowl after losing the game with Chicago in 2006.

 
34 of 35

Eric Weddle, Age 37, Super Bowl LVI

Eric Weddle, Age 37, Super Bowl LVI
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Weddle's appearance in Super Bowl LVI was truly remarkable. After retiring following the 2019 season, Weddle came out of retirement for the Rams playoff run in 2021. He not only donned the headset as the defensive play caller but also remained in the game after suffering a torn pectoral. It was all worth it for Weddle, who won his first Super Bowl before reentering retirement.

 
35 of 35

Chad Henne, Age 37, Super Bowl LVII

Chad Henne, Age 37, Super Bowl LVII
Bill Streicher / USA Today Sports Images

Patrick Mahomes' backup made a big contribution en route to Super Bowl LVII, leading a critical touchdown drive in the Divisional Round while Mahomes nursed an ankle injury. A former starter for the Dolphins and Jaguars, Henne announced his retirement after KC's Super Bowl victory.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

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