A few things to consider when watching the game tomorrow....

Multi-Sport Athletes

Exercise and Sport Science major Stephen Gostkowski was not just the place-kicker for the Memphis Tigers he was also a pitcher for the Tigers baseball team…Patriots special teams player Kelley Washington was drafted by the Florida Marlins in 1997. While with the Marlins single A affiliate, the Kane Country Cougars, his teammate was Sox pitcher Josh Beckett…Quarterback Tom Brady was drafted in the 1995 MLB Draft in the 18^th round with the 507 pick overall by the Montreal Expos. The Expos picked Brady 55 picks ahead of the 2007 World Series MVP Mike Lowell, who was taken in the 20^th round 562 overall by the New York Yankees…In high school, wide receiver Randy Moss was named “West Virginia’s High School Basketball Player of the Year” and his teammate was Miami Heat point guard Jason Williams

The Nerds

At Iowa State, cornerback Ellis Hobbs, III was an Art and Visual Communications major and says he would be a Walt Disney Company animator if it were not for football…While at The Ohio State, linebacker Mike Vrabel was a Pre-Med major…Kyle Brady is a Civil War history buff even visiting the famous battle sites of Gettysburg and Antietam.

All in the Family

Back up quarterback Matt Cassel’s is not the only professional athlete in the Cassel family. Matt is the middle child of three with older brother Jack and younger brother Justin. Jack is a pitcher for Major League Baseball’s Houston Astros while Justin is a pitcher for the Chicago White Sox’s single A affiliate Winston-Salem Warthogs…The father of Jabar Gaffney, Derrick, played eight seasons with the New York Jets from 1978-1987. Also Jabar’s cousin is Philadelphia cornerback, Lito Shepard…Wide Receiver Randy Moss’s older brother, Eric Moss, had a brief stint as an offensive lineman for the Minnesota Vikings in 1997.

Family Feud

Good thing Patriots linebacker, Adalius Thomas, and Giants defensive end, Justin Tuck, will not be on the field at the same time. The two defensive players are cousins.

Big Foot and the Heartbreakers

Patriots defensive end, Richard Seymour, does not just have the biggest foot on the team wearing a size 17 shoe but also plays the trombone. Seymour could start a small band with fellow defensive player, Tedy Bruschi, and third string tight end, Stephen Spach. Bruschi is an accomplished saxophone player while Spach has credentials on the guitar and bass guitar.

Thank you, Asante

Cornerback Asante Samuel’s first name means “Thank-you” in Swahili and his high school team was thankful to have him before the last game of his senior season. Ten minutes before Samuel’s last high school football game, the starting quarterback was injured, Samuel stepped in the role and threw two touchdown passes.

The Cowboy

Pats left guard Logan Mankins spent his childhood on a 10,000-acre cattle ranch where he and his father were a prize-winning cattle roping team.

What number is it Teddy? Eight!

Pats receiver Donte Stallworth (#18) is part owner of the Miami restaurant “O” with former Celtic Antoine Walker, who wore #8 while with the Celtics.

The Boston College Connection

Patriots center, Dan Koppen and Giants right guard Chris Snee were both members of the 2002 Boston College Eagles offensive line.

Giants Head Coach, Tom Coughlin, was at the Heights from 1981-1983 as BC’s quarterbacks coach before leaving to be the wide receivers coach in Philadelphia, Green Bay and New York. Coughlin would return to Chestnut Hill to become the Eagles Head Coach from 1991-1993.

Originially from Cambridge, Giants assistant offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo was an assistant of Coughlin’s at BC when Coughlin was the Head Coach in 1991-1992.

New York’s strength and conditioning coach Jerry Palmieri was the Eagles Director of Strength and Conditioning during the 1993-1994 season.

The President and Chief Executive Officer of the New York Giants, John Mara, is a Boston College alum (1976) with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in marketing.

(Quick facts courtesy of the New England Patriots Media Relations department.)