Connections: Hayden returns to face ex-mates
Cornerback Kelvin Hayden, a Super Bowl hero in Indianapolis, returns to face his old team.
In Super Bowl XLI, Hayden stepped in front of Bears wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad to make an interception. He returned the pick 56 yards in the fourth quarter to help secure the Lombardi Trophy.
After being released by the team, he signed with the Falcons on Aug. 30 and shares the nickel-back duties with Christopher Owens.
“I’m excited,” Hayden said. “It feels good to get back to where it all started. I never really thought about being in the visitors’ locker room. But it will be good to get back to Indianapolis and go against those guys.”
Other connections include:
- Falcons defensive tackle Vance Walker, wide receiver Kevin Cone (practice squad) and Colts linebacker Philip Wheeler were teammates at Georgia Tech in 2008.
- Colts tight end Dallas Clark and Falcons defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux were teammates at Iowa from 2000-02.
- Colts defensive end Robert Mathis, an Atlanta native, attended McNair High before playing at Alabama A&M.
- Colts center Jeff Saturday, an Atlanta native, attended the old Shamrock High before playing at North Carolina.
- Falcons kicker Matt Bryant played with Indianapolis in 2005.
- Falcons linebacker Mike Peterson was drafted by the Colts in the second round (36th overall) in the 1999 draft.
- Colts defensive tackle Jamaal Anderson was selected with the eighth overall choice in 2007 by the Falcons.
- Colts tackle Quinn Ojinnaka played for the Falcons from 2006-09 and started 12 games.
- Colts coach Jim Caldwell coached Falcons right tackle Tyson Clabo, long snapper Joe Zelenka and fullback Ovie Mughelli (injured reserve) when he was the head coach at Wake Forest.
- Falcons tight end Michael Palmer and Colts linebacker Kavell Conner played together at Clemson from 2006-09.
About the Author
Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.
