The 52 most interesting people on Super Bowl Sunday
Here are the 52 most interesting people on Super Sunday when the Patriots and Eagles battle in Minneapolis:
Tom Brady: He overcame a 12-stitch cut on this throwing hand and an 11-point deficit vs. the Jaguars to reach his eighth Super Bowl. If the Patriots win, his record sixth ring as a player would break a tie with Charles Haley.
Rob Gronkowski: The gregarious tight end suffered a concussion in the AFC Championship, but is cleared to play Sunday. Sat out last year’s comeback vs. Atlanta and is 1-1 in his prior Super Bowl appearances with one TD.
Danny Amendola: Miss Universe’s boyfriend caught two TD passes in the fourth quarter vs. the Jags to send the Patriots to Minnesota. He also has a TD reception in each of his previous Super Bowls, against Seattle and Atlanta.
Devin McCourty: A native of Nyack, N.Y., and graduate of Rutgers, the 30-year-old strong safety is playing his third position in his eight-season career. He will be one of the key Patriots in trying to stop the Eagles’ run-pass option attack.
Malcolm Butler: Butler was the hero of Super Bowl XLIX. Seattle had second-and-goal from the 1 with 20 seconds to go when Butler jumped Ricardo Lockette’s route and intercepted a Russell Wilson pass to preserve a 28-24 win.
Chris Long: The defensive end spent the first eight seasons of his career with the Rams, going 39-88-1. The past two years, including playoffs, he has gone 32-5, already has won a ring with the Patriots and is gunning for another with Philadelphia.
Brandin Cooks: In his first year with the Patriots after a trade from the Saints, Cooks has nine catches for 132 yards in two playoff games. His speed is a big threat to the Eagles’ secondary, which is susceptible to the deep ball.
LeGarrette Blount: Like Long, the 245-pound running back is trying to beat the Patriots in this Super Bowl after winning it with them last year. His bulldozing style provides a nice change-up in the Eagles’ speedy offense.
James White: The seldom-used pass-catching back came out of nowhere to haul in 14 catches for 110 yards and score three TDs in last year’s Super Bowl. Don’t count on a repeat, though.
Nick Foles: Many thought the Eagles’ title hopes had been dashed when Carson Wentz got injured in Week 14, but Foles got them here with a 38-7 destruction of the Vikings. Now all he has to do is beat Brady.
Carson Wentz: NBC surely will show Wentz a lot on the sideline, cheering on and counseling Foles. Wentz was on his way to an MVP season, with 33 touchdown passes in 13 games, before he wrecked his knee.
Alshon Jeffery: The 6-foot-4, 230-pound receiver will be a load for the Patriots’ secondary to handle on the shorter routes. He caught a 53-yard bomb from Foles for one of his two TD receptions in the rout of the Vikings.
Zach Ertz: The Pro Bowl tight end caught 74 passes in the regular season and had eight catches against the Vikings for 93 yards. He is critical to the Eagles’ ability to move the chains, run the clock and keep Brady off the field.
Malcolm Jenkins: The safety is the leader of the Eagles’ defense and locker room. He gained notice for raising his fist during the national anthem early in the season, and also led a coalition of players who met with police and politicians.
Jay Ajayi: The Eagles traded with the Dolphins to acquire Ajayi after losing Darren Sproles to a broken arm and leg on the same play vs. the Giants. Ajayi has yet to top 100 yards rushing in a game as an Eagle, but provides a breakaway threat.
Fletcher Cox: The three-time Pro Bowler is the beast in the middle of the Eagles’ defensive line and figures to be a big key to this game. Brady likes to step up in the pocket away from edge rushers, and that’s where Cox lives.
Dilly Dilly: Either the Patriots or Eagles will be crowned champions Sunday, but the king of this Super Bowl Sunday will be seen during the trilogy of Bud Light commercials.
Gene Steratore: Given the season-long narrative that the Patriots get all the calls, which was amped up during the AFC title game, all eyes will be on referee Steratore every time a yellow flag flies or a play is challenged.
Bob Kraft: He bought the Patriots in 1994 for a then-record $175 million. Five Super Bowl titles and almost 24 years later, the team is valued at $3.4 billion. The owner and his sons always get a lot of camera time from their perch in the luxury box.
Cris Collinsworth: There has been a lot of talk about Tony Romo’s brilliance in his first season as an announcer. Collinsworth gets a chance to showcase his analyst talents as well.
Al Michaels: The legendary play-by-play man and “Sunday Night Football” mainstay has the call for NBC.
Dan Patrick: While Michelle Tafoya will be providing valuable injury updates from the sidelines during the game, the most compelling interview might be during the trophy presentation afterward — conducted by Patrick.
Justin Timberlake: The superstar musician, whose new album was released on Friday, is serving as the halftime act.
Pink: She’ll be performing the national anthem. Place your bets on time length accordingly.
Leslie Odom Jr.: After starring in one classic (“Hamilton”), Odom Jr. will sing another (“America the Beautiful”).
Sylvester Stallone: His most famous character, Rocky Balboa, is a Philadelphia icon, complete with his own statue in the city. You’ll hear his name mentioned on Sunday, no question.
Mark Wahlberg: Maybe the famous Boston actor and Patriots fan will stay for the whole game? He made waves last year when he departed the Patriots-Falcons Super Bowl early.
Janet Jackson: She was part of Justin Timberlake’s last halftime performance in 2004, and it was a tad controversial when a wardrobe malfunction resulted in the exposure of one of her breasts.
Milo Ventimiglia: The NBC drama “This Is Us” airs after the Super Bowl, and the episode will finally reveal (spoiler alert) how Ventimiglia’s character, Jack Pearson, dies.
Vince Papale: The ultimate underdog, Papale — whose story was told in the movie “Invincible” and whose likeness was portrayed by Mark Wahlberg — told The Post last week, “I believe the Eagles can win. And there’s no reason why they can’t.”
Bradley Cooper: The big-time Eagles fan actually played an Eagles fan in the movie “Silver Linings Playbook.” Will he be in the Minneapolis crowd Sunday?
Julie Ertz: A midfielder for the U.S. women’s national team, Julie is the wife of Eagles tight end Zach Ertz. Says Zach: “Julie is the best athlete in the family. I’m never going to argue that.”
Gisele Bundchen: She’s married to someone famous in this game. We’ll give you a guess.
Olivia Culpo: The former Miss Universe is dating Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola.
Galynn Johnson: Brady’s mother is from nearby Browerville, Minn., where Tom used to spend summers as a child. Two of Tom’s uncles and one of his cousins still live in Browerville.
Howie Long: The Hall of Famer and FOX analyst is the father of Eagles defensive lineman Chris Long, who won a ring last year with the Patriots and now is going for more jewelry.
Bill Belichick: Arguably the greatest coach in NFL history would further cement his case as the all-time No. 1 with a sixth ring.
Doug Pederson: In just his second season after taking over for Chip Kelly as Eagles head coach, Pederson is one win away from a championship.
Jeffrey Lurie: The Eagles owner is making his second trip to the Super Bowl, having lost to New England in Super Bowl XXXIX, and hoping he can finally bring Philadelphia a Lombardi Trophy.
Josh McDaniels: Set to take over in Indianapolis, the Patriots offensive coordinator is hoping his second head-coaching stint goes smoother than his first in Denver.
Matt Patricia: The next Giants head coach — wait, we’re being told that’s, in fact, incorrect — will be leaving to take over the Lions following the game.
Frank Reich: The Eagles’ offensive coordinator had a front seat to the Bills’ four consecutive Super Bowl losses as their backup quarterback, but can erase that sour taste with a victory.
Jim Schwartz: Belichick gave Schwartz his start in 1993 with the Browns, and now the Eagles’ defensive coordinator tries to outwit his coaching mentor.
Alex Guerrero: Brady’s trainer has been at the center of a reported rift between the quarterback and Belichick, who revoked Guerrero’s on-field credentials this season.
Mike Trout: An Eagles fan who grew up in South Jersey, the star Angels outfielder is on record calling for a 31-24 Philadelphia victory.
Brett Favre: The Hall of Fame quarterback, who played in Green Bay with Pederson as his backup, will speak to the Eagles on Saturday morning. They may want to listen — Favre beat the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI.
Roger Goodell: It has been a rough year for the NFL commissioner, whose league has been embroiled in controversy. Whether it’s players kneeling during the national anthem and feuding with President Trump, declining TV ratings, replay controversies or increased concussion concerns, Goodell could use a smooth game.
Charles Barkley: The former 76ers star will be rooting for the Eagles, and not just because of his Philadelphia ties. He told a Philadelphia radio station last week he planned to bet six figures on the Eagles.
Donovan McNabb: Off the field, McNabb is embroiled in a sexual harassment controversy, but on the field McNabb is remembered for his unconfirmed vomiting against the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX.
Richard Ross Jr.: Who? Oh, he’s just the Philadelphia police commissioner who will be trying to keep his city from tearing itself apart if the Eagles win. After Crisco was unable to keep fans from climbing light poles following the NFC title game, police reportedly are using a type of gear oil to grease the poles.
Cindy Crawford: The supermodel will appear in an ad for Pepsi that recreates her famous spot that aired during the 1992 Super Bowl.
Cathy Lanier: The former D.C. police chief runs security for the NFL and will be responsible for making sure Tom Brady’s uniform — or any other memorabilia — doesn’t vanish from the locker room this year.