Atlanta Falcons’ Robert Alford, left, runs past New England Patriots’ Tom Brady for a touchdown during the first half of Super Bowl 51.  Alford had eleven tackles and recovered a fumble  in his first Super Bowl appearance. Alford was favored to win the MVP trophy if the Falcons would have won the game. 
Elise Amendola/ AP photo

Former Lion cornerback and Hammond, LA native Robert Alford got the opportunity of a lifetime, playing in Super Bowl LI for the Atlanta Falcons. 

In the second quarter of the game, Alford intercepted a pass thrown by New England Patriots 

quarterback Tom Brady and took it to the end zone for an 82-yard return, the second longest in Super Bowl history.

“When Robert picks off Tom Brady on national T.V. during the Super Bowl, that is great for the university as a whole,” said Jay Artigues, Director of Athletics. “Just the publicity that we are going to get is invaluable.”

Despite the Falcons losing a 25-point lead to the Patriots, the largest comeback in Super Bowl history, Alford is still an inspiration to the Lions athletic department and to the Hammond community.

“It’s big for our entire community,” said Artigues. “Obviously, big for the athletic department and the football program, but to have a guy like Robert Alford play in the Super Bowl, that doesn’t happen very often. It’s like winning the lottery.”

Alford started at Hammond High Magnet School and not only played football but also ran track finishing second place in the 400 meter dash of the LHSAA Track and Field Championship and won Rookie of the Year as a sophomore for the football team. As a Lion, he was named to second team All-Southland Conference in his sophomore year and was then named to first team All-Southland Conference in his senior year having the eighth highest single season interception total in school history with five.

“Robert is a tremendous young man and such a great athlete,” said Artigues. “He busted his tail and did a great job of taking advantage of the opportunity he had at Southeastern and made the most of it. Now, he is playing in the Super Bowl and making a great living for his family.”

Alford is one of only two Lions in the National Football League and he is the first to play in the Super Bowl.

“Not just inspire student-athletes but students as a whole,” said Artigues. “When people see Southeastern on a national stage, there is no bigger national stage than the Super Bowl.”

One of the plays of the game that involved Alford was the catch that was made by Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman that was tipped toward the ground by Alford. Unfortunately the pass was still caught by Edelman.

“I couldn’t believe that he caught it,” said Alford in an interview with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “It was a nice bat by me. I hit the ground I was trying everything in my will to get back up and at least make a play on it. I thought that Ricardo Allen or one of my other brothers would get it. They was all battling for it but Edelman came down with it.” 

Some Lions fans may have been torn in watching the game and rooting for the Falcons, who are the division rivals of the New Orleans Saints.

“I’m as big a Who Dat as you are going to find,” said Artigues. “I remember when Robert was drafted, there was a game going on and the PA announcer announced that Robert Alford was drafted and everyone was cheering, until he said by the Atlanta Falcons and everyone started booing, but you gotta cheer for Robert. He is a Lion for Life.”

Alford recovers a fumble during the first half of Super Bowl 51
David J. Phillips/ AP photo 

Alford bouncing into the endzone after his interception.
Elise Amendola/ AP photo