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Former Cougars return with Pats

Cougar Sports Services

Most players on the New England Patriots have been to a Super Bowl. Most have won a Super Bowl. And all of them have played at Reliant Stadium.

But only two players participating in Super Bowl XXXVIII know what it's like to be a Cougar.

Running back Antowain Smith and offensive tackle Wilbert Brown both played at UH in the 1990s.

Smith played for the Cougars from 1995-96. He was on the team that played in the 1996 Liberty Bowl, which was the last time UH played in a bowl before the 2003 Hawaii Bowl.

During his brief UH career, Smith rushed for 1,847 yards and 19 touchdowns. In 1996, Smith rushed for 1,239 yards, the fifth highest single-season total in school history. 

The Buffalo Bills took Smith with the 23rd pick in the first round of the 1997 NFL Draft.

His NFL career has been solid but unspectacular. Smith has rushed for 5,716 yards and 48 touchdowns in six seasons with the Bills and the Patriots.

But his crowning achievement in the NFL does not involve piling up rushing yards or getting into the end zone. In 2001, Smith earned his first Super Bowl ring when the Patriots defeated the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI.

Now Smith and fellow teammate Brown will try to get the Patriots another world championship.

Brown anchored the offensive line for the Cougars from 1995-98. He also played in the Liberty Bowl, and in 1998 was named to the Second Team All Conference USA, and started all 11 games for UH that season.

After playing two years in the NFL, Brown played a pair of seasons for the Frankfurt Galaxy of NFL Europe. He returned to the NFL for the 2003 season with the Washington Redskins, and was claimed off waivers by New England.

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