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The pipeline from Lengthy Seaside Poly to the NFL doesn’t decelerate. It simply reloads. And on Tremendous Bowl Sunday, underneath the brightest lights the game has to supply, Alex Austin turns into the following Jackrabbit to hold that legacy onto the sector.
Austin, the Patriots cornerback and Lengthy Seaside Poly alum, will play in Tremendous Bowl 60 in opposition to the Seahawks, extending some of the absurd, virtually legendary excessive school-to-pro stats in NFL historical past. Fifteen of the 60 Tremendous Bowls in historical past have featured a Poly alum. That’s 25 p.c of Tremendous Bowl historical past tied to 1 public highschool tucked into the center of Lengthy Seaside.
“For me, to have this chance is a blessing,” Austin stated. “It’s so cool and a dream come true.”
Austin was the Moore League Participant of the Yr at Poly, then left Oregon State early to chase the NFL. He was drafted within the seventh spherical by Buffalo, launched, claimed by Houston, buried on a observe squad, then lastly discovered a soccer dwelling in New England. Three seasons later, he’s an integral a part of the Patriots’ defensive success underneath new head coach Mike Vrabel.
Austin performed in 12 video games this yr, began two, and recorded 25 tackles for the Patriots this season.
Austin joins an extended record of Poly’s Tremendous Bowl alumni that reads like a roll name of nice NFL eras.
Willie McGinest. DeSean Jackson. Jack Jones. Marcedes Lewis. Jurrell Casey. JuJu Smith-Schuster. Names that span generations, positions, franchises — and championships.
McGinest, a Patriots legend with 4 Tremendous Bowl appearances and three rings, nonetheless checks in recurrently. “He’s a mentor for me. He’s like my uncle.” Austin stated.
Smith-Schuster, who performed within the Tremendous Bowl final yr with the Chiefs, additionally reached out to Austin instantly, after the Patriots defeated the Broncos within the AFC Championship Sport.
“He informed me to convey again the trophy and win for the town,” Austin stated.
If the Patriots win Sunday, it might mark the ninth Tremendous Bowl title gained by a group that includes a Poly alum.
The mathematics retains favoring Lengthy Seaside as a result of the tradition does. Starvation. Edge. Survival. Austin put it plainly: “Lengthy Seaside has numerous youngsters which are hungry and have numerous expertise and simply want the correct place to go.”
Austin additionally carries a deeper lineage.
His father, Al Austin, served on the Lengthy Seaside Metropolis Council. His mom, Daysha, is a political chief and a fixture in youth soccer circles. This isn’t simply soccer bloodlines — it’s neighborhood roots.
So when Austin strains up in Santa Clara, he gained’t simply be overlaying receivers. He’ll be carrying Poly.
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