[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 31 (Wednesday, February 16, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S730]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                             Super Bowl LVI

  Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, like many Americans, Nebraskans were 
rooting for the Bengals on Sunday. Everyone loves a good underdog 
story. The Bengals hadn't won a playoff game in more than 30 years 
until this season, and they were effectively the visiting team in a 
Super Bowl that was played in Los Angeles against the L.A. Rams.
  Outside of Ohio, Nebraska may have more connection to the Bengals 
than any other State. To start, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has deep 
roots in Nebraska. Both of his brothers, Jamie and Dan, played for the 
Huskers in the early 2000s. His mom Robin grew up in Tecumseh, NE, and 
Burrow has uncles and other relatives scattered around southeast 
Nebraska.
  His grandfather Wayne is a farmer in Johnson County. Wayne has 
watched every Super Bowl for 56 years, going back to Super Bowl I in 
1967. This year was the first time he has attended the big game in 
person to cheer on his grandson and the Bengals.
  Maybe best of all, Joe Burrow's dad played for the Nebraska Huskers 
in the seventies before going on to a career in the NFL and the 
Canadian Football League. Later, as an assistant coach, he was part of 
the Husker team that took on No. 1 Miami in the 2002 Rose Bowl. Husker 
football fans remember that game as the last time Nebraska has played 
for a national championship--not good. Five-year-old Joe Burrow was 
there in Pasadena to support his dad, making Sunday's Super Bowl the 
second time he has traveled to L.A. for a national title game.
  Even by themselves, Joe Burrow's Nebraska connections would have been 
enough to make Husker Nation pull for the Bengals, but Bengals Coach 
Zac Taylor is another reason that Nebraskans were with Cincinnati on 
Sunday. He was the Huskers' starting quarterback for the 2005 and 2006 
seasons, throwing for nearly 6,000 yards and 45 touchdowns. He was also 
the last Cornhusker to win the Big 12 Offensive Player of the 
Year Award.

  He credits his success as a player to Nebraska's coach at the time, 
Bill Callahan. Now, he has Brian Callahan, Bill's son, on his staff as 
his offensive coordinator. Troy Walters, the Bengals' wide receivers 
coach, was Nebraska's offensive coordinator from 2017 to 2019.
  Another Bengals player with Nebraska ties is Stanley Morgan. He 
signed with the Bengals in 2019 after a stellar college career with the 
Huskers, and he is easily one of the best receivers in Husker football 
history. Morgan rewrote Nebraska's wide receiver record books from 2015 
to 2018. He holds the record for career receptions and receiving yards 
and also for single-season receiving yards. With that last record, he 
eclipsed the previous total Nebraska football legend Johnny Rodgers set 
on his way to winning the Heisman Trophy in 1972. Now Morgan has a 
bright future ahead of him in the NFL.
  Nebraska's connections to this Bengals team is strong. The team came 
up just short on Sunday, but Nebraskans are proud of what they 
accomplished this season. Joe Burrow and Zac Taylor led this team of 
underdogs to a game no one expected to see them in, and they ended the 
longest active playoffs drought in the NFL while they were at it.
  Things are looking up for this Nebraska-led team. I look forward to 
seeing them in the playoffs again next year.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Maryland.
  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I be able to 
finish my remarks prior to the scheduled vote at 11:30.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.