Tulane's connection to the Super Bowl runs deep, including the school hosting the NFL's biggest game three times in the 1970s at the old Tulane Stadium.

The school's ties to the Super Bowl continue Sunday as two former Green Wave players will suit up, with one of them guaranteed a victory.

Former Tulane quarterback Ryan Griffin plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while rookie cornerback Thakarius "BoPete" Keyes plays for the Kansas City Chiefs. While their roles in Super Bowl LV will likely be limited, their presence will still mean the world to those at Tulane. 

"We've had so many outstanding players take the field for the Wave and have great pride for those who have gotten to play on the game's biggest stage," Tulane athletic director Troy Dannen said. "It shows that the path to every player's goal can start at Tulane."

Griffin, who went undrafted in 2013 after finishing his career at Tulane in the 2012 season, is the Bucs' third string quarterback behind Tom Brady and Blaine Gabbert. This is the eighth NFL season for Griffin, who spent the 2014 season with the Saints. He's thrown just four NFL passes, all in 2019, completing two for 18 yards.

Neither player was made available to the media this week, but those who have coached the two aren't surprised to see them on the game's biggest stage.

Curtis Johnson, now the senior offensive assistant for the Saints, was head coach at Tulane for Griffin's senior season.

"He's a professional," Johnson said. "Ryan knows the game. He can play at the drop of a hat. As a quarterback, if you're smart and can execute what the team is doing, you can play. He's that type of guy."

Griffin, a California native, threw for 9,026 yards and 56 touchdowns in his four seasons at Tulane.

"He was just a leader," Johnson said. "There were times when Ryan thought he was the coach. We tailored the offense around him because of how good he was."

Keyes, a Mississippi native, has played mostly on special teams for the Chiefs. His rookie season began with him being placed on the non-football injury list in July with an orbital fracture. He was activated in August and played in nine games.

Tulane CB Thakarius "BoPete" Keyes didn't let life's challenges stop him from chasing NFL dream

"It took him a couple months to really be able to get into the scheme," Chiefs' cornerbacks coach Sam Madison said. "You know how it is in the National Football League. It's always the next man up. There were a lot of plans for him to be implemented into this defense. He's had a couple opportunities to get on the field and he's shown those talents that we saw when we drafted him."

Keyes' got one start at cornerback in Week 17 against the Los Angeles Chargers. He recorded eight tackles and was in on 68 defensive snaps in that game.

"We're looking forward to the future with him," Madison said. "But it's been good for him just having the opportunity to go out there against our offense every single day, every single week and starting to learn and understand how we do things in the National Football League. We are looking for some really big things for him in the future."

While Griffin and Keyes will be on opposite sidelines Sunday, it'll be a win-win for Tulane. 

"While they are foes this Sunday, Thakarius and Ryan will always have the Wave in common," Dannen said. "An alum will wear a championship ring Sunday night, which is pretty cool."

Email Rod Walker at rwalker@theadvocate.com.