UConn’s Two Previous Super Bowl Players
Offer Tips to Help Donald Brown Enjoy His Experience

    The University of Connecticut’s two previous Super Bowl players laid out some fundamental thoughts this week to help Donald Brown enjoy his experience of playing in the 44th annual extravaganza a week from Sunday for the Indianapolis Colts, for whom he has been a steady contributor as the No. 2 running back during his rookie NFL season.

    Nick Giaquinto started with a laugh when he was asked what advice he had for Brown, whose 2,083 rushing yards broke the UConn single-season record by a mile during his all-America 2008 season.

    “Just keep doing what you are doing,” said Giaquinto, who played in consecutive Super Bowls in 1983 and 1984 for the Washington Redskins. 

    Brian Kozlowski’s initial advice also was pretty straight forward:  “The biggest thing is to enjoy it (Super Bowl).  Enjoy the moment.”  Kozlowski should know from his experience in 1999, Super Bowl XXXIII with Atlanta.

    But both former Huskies had much more to say.

    “It takes more energy to stay focused (for a Super Bowl),” offered Giaquinto, the Sacred Heart University baseball coach the last 22 seasons, who still holds the UConn single-game rushing record for his 277-yard outburst against Holy Cross in 1976.  “Do the same things, if possible, as in a normal week”, Giaquinto said he would advise Brown.  “If you go to a movie on Tuesday try to go to a movie”.  He also advised players to “find your space.  Find quiet time when you can concentrate.

    “Focus on the process.  Gear down a little.  Take a lot of deep breaths.  Monitor your thoughts.”

    Kozlowski’s theme of “enjoying the moment” includes “enjoying media day.  It is just a great week.  It is an amazing event.  What a great opportunity.  It’s fun to see a UConn guy get the opportunity.”

    Both players recalled special memories from their Super Bowls.

    Kozlowski, who played 14 seasons in the NFL (1994-2007) and lives in Atlanta, says his greatest memory “probably was getting (his name) announced” as the starting fullback before the game started.  “The offense won the coin toss” to see which team of Falcons would get introduced.  He also has warm recollections of such pre-game highlights as “the fireworks; the national anthem”.

    He also can reflect on the broken foot he suffered shortly before halftime.  “I tried to take it easy in practice”, he said, because he already knew the plays and had a hairline fracture in his foot that needed to be protected.  Kozlowski caught a five-yard pass (his only reception), and “when I turned up field it broke”.  The tight end on Connecticut’s 100th anniversary team as well as the man honored with an annual UConn award in his name to the Huskies’ “most courageous, hard working and productive player” did not play much in the second half of the Super Bowl, but that was primarily because Atlanta was playing catch-up in its 34-19 loss to the Broncos.  He did return two kickoffs during the game.

    Giaquinto caught two passes for 21 yards and returned a punt in his second Super Bowl, a losing effort against the Los Angeles Raiders, but his most vivid recollection of a play where he had a huge role was in the winning game against the Dolphins the previous year.  The 5-foot-11, 205-pound back normally was on the field in passing situations. “I made a key block on the linebacker”, he said, which opened it up for Joe Theismann to “roll out and hit Charlie Brown with a touchdown pass.”  That six-yard scoring strike came with only 1:55 remaining and increased the Redskins’ skimpy three-point lead to its final 27-17 margin.

    Giaquinto and Kozlowski both heaped praise on the current Connecticut football program.

    Kozlowski, who wants to start a new career and would not rule out coaching, visited the school as recently as this summer, in part to see his college roommate, special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach Lyndon Johnson.  “The place is spectacular,” said Kozlowski.  “It’s (UConn) probably No. 1 now in the northeast.  The Big East is getting very competitive.  I love it when they are on TV.  They could have been in a really big bowl (game) with five more points,” alluding to the fact the Huskies never lost by more than four points.

     Giaquinto, who spent four years in the NFL, talked about the various circumstances surrounding Connecticut’s 2009 season, including the death of Jasper Howard.  “It (the season) had everything,” he commented.  “Overall, everyone from the outside is proud.  It is a first-class operation.  It is being run the right way”.