The Super Bowl LX matchup is set: the New England Patriots vs. the Seattle Seahawks. For Hoosiers, picking a side is complicated.
Asking a Colts fan to root for the Patriots usually feels wrong. The Brady-Manning rivalry defined a generation of AFC football, and those wounds don't heal easily. But this year’s Super Bowl has a clear Indiana storyline, it’s just a lot more "Cream and Crimson" and "Blue and Gold" than usual.
If you can’t bring yourself to cheer for New England, at least cheer for the local ties when they hit the field. Here is your guide to the Hoosier connections in Super Bowl LX.
Indiana fans should keep their eyes on Kobee Minor. Minor, who played for the Indiana Hoosiers in 2023, has a story straight out of a movie. He was the final pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, earning the title of "Mr. Irrelevant."
After spending most of the season on the New England practice squad, Minor was signed to the active 53-man roster on Jan. 1, 2026. Seeing the "last man drafted" play for a ring under Coach Mike Vrabel is a great underdog story.
Photo by Doug McSchooler
On the Seattle side, AJ Barner is no longer just "depth." The former IU tight end (2020–2022) is coming off a massive breakout season, hauling in 52 receptions and 6 touchdowns.
Barner has become a primary red-zone target for the Seahawks. For fans in Bloomington, seeing Barner compete for a title just weeks after IU’s historic National Championship win feels like the perfect "Year of the Hoosier" celebration.
Indiana’s footprint on Seattle doesn’t stop in Bloomington, but it also runs through South Bend.
Julian Love, a former Notre Dame captain and All-American safety, has become one of the emotional and strategic leaders of Seattle’s defense. Known for his versatility, football IQ, and leadership, Love embodies the Notre Dame standard and brings championship-level experience to the Seahawks’ secondary.
Up front, the Seahawks are also deploying rookie defensive tackle Rylie Mills, another former Notre Dame standout. Mills developed into one of the most disruptive defensive linemen in the country during his time with the Irish. His snaps have been limited as a rookie, so keep a close eye out for Mills when the Seahawks' defense is on the field.
For years, Purdue fans could brag that they owned the NFL’s biggest stage. Heading into this season, at least one Boilermaker had participated in 25 of the last 26 Super Bowls. But in 2026, the streak is dead.
With Ja’Whaun Bentley no longer in New England and George Karlaftis’s Chiefs falling short in the playoffs, there are zero Boilermakers in Super Bowl LX. It’s a bitter pill to swallow, and the football balance of power in Indiana has officially shifted to Bloomington.
The lone "born and raised" Hoosier in this Super Bowl is Maxen Hook.
Growing up in New Palestine, Hook was a local legend for the Dragons before starring at Toledo. Currently on the Seahawks' practice squad, Hook provides that deep Indiana roots connection.
While he’s a long shot to suit up on Sunday, his journey from New Pal to the NFL's biggest stage is a major point of pride for Hancock County.
Game Details
Matchup: New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks
Date: Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM ET
Channel: NBC / Peacock * Halftime Show: Bad Bunny
Whether you’re rooting for the "Mr. Irrelevant" story in New England or the breakout tight end, free safety, and rookie defensive tackle in Seattle, Indiana and Notre Dame's presence will be felt all over the field in Santa Clara.
