Akron Alum JoJo Natson to Play in Super Bowl

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AKRON, Ohio— University of Akron alumnus Bruce "JoJo" Natson, Jr. '16 (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) will participate in the National Football League's Super Bowl LIII on Sunday, Feb. 3, as a member of the NFC champion Los Angeles Rams football team.

The wide receiver/punt returner played his senior season at Akron after transferring from Utah State. Natson earned a bachelor's degree in organizational supervision from UA in Fall 2016.

At 5-7, Natson is the shortest player on either roster for Super Bowl LIII. This season he has played in 13 games, returning 26 punts for 280 yards and six kickoffs for 108 yards. He joined the Rams in August as a free agent.

A first-team All-MAC selection at punt returner and a second-team All-MAC pick at wide receiver, Natson was named Akron's outstanding offensive performer in 2016. He appeared in all 12 games with 11 starts. The Zips' leading scorer with 12 touchdowns for 72 points, he finished second in receiving with 59 receptions for 837 yards and a team-best 10 touchdowns. On special teams, Natson had 16 punt returns for 261 yards and two touchdowns. At No. 10 Wisconsin, Natson put Akron on the scoreboard with a 55-yard return for a touchdown, UA's first PR for a touchdown since 2004 en route to MAC Specialist of the Week honors.

Natson is the fourth Zip to play in the Super Bowl. He joins linebacker Chase Blackburn (2001-04) and wide receiver Domenik Hixon (2002-05), who won two championships with the New York Giants in 2008 and 2012; and defensive back Dwight Smith (1997-00), who won a championship with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2003.

No Zip has ever lost in the Super Bowl.

Blackburn's fourth-quarter interception of New England Patriots' Tom Brady in Super Bowl XLVI kept the game 17-15. The Giants went on to win the game, 21-17, giving Blackburn his second Super Bowl ring.

Smith became the first player in NFL history to return two interceptions for touchdowns in Super Bowl history, doing so in Tampa Bay's 48-21 win over Oakland in Super Bowl XXXVII.

Akron, which returns 51 letterwinners, opens the 2019 season at Illinois on August 31. The home opener is slated for Sept. 7 against UAB.

Season ticket plans—which include a ticket to all six home games as well as a parking pass—can be purchased now to lock in the 2018 pricing for the 2019 season, starting at only $60 each. Renewals (for current season ticket holders) and new seats are now available for purchase by calling or texting 888-99-AKRON (25766) or visiting The C.P. and Cornelia S. Chima Athletics Ticket Office at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field (located at 375 E. Exchange Street, near Gate 1 at the southwest corner of the venue, at the corner of E. Exchange and S. Union streets) during business hours (Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

The University of Akron Athletics

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