WARREN — The Catholic High School League will have a representative in Super Bowl LIX this Sunday, Feb. 9.
Michael Danna, a 2014 graduate of De La Salle Collegiate in Warren, will be the starting defensive end for the Kansas City Chiefs when they face the Philadelphia Eagles. The Chiefs will be seeking an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl title and Danna his third Super Bowl ring in a row. (Kickoff is 6:30 p.m., on FOX. Danna’s number is 51.)
An All-State special mention his senior year at De La Salle, Danna led the Pilots to the 2014 state Division 2 championship. He set single-season school records for 20 tackles-for-a-loss and 10 sacks.
He played three seasons at Central Michigan and was named to the 2018 Pro Football Focus All-American First Team. In his career there, he had 92 solo tackles and 15 sacks.
Danna transferred to Michigan for his senior year, where he was a part-time starter. He had 38 tackles (three for a loss) and three sacks.
The Kansas City Chiefs selected Danna in the fifth round (177th overall) in the 2020 NFL draft.
Danna has played in four Super Bowls. The first time he was a rookie in Super Bowl LV in 2021. He made two tackles in limited playing time as the Chiefs lost, 31-7, to the New England Patriots.
In 2023, Danna won his first Super Bowl ring when the Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII.
In 2024, Danna won his second Super Bowl ring when the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII. Danna recorded three tackles in the game.
In 72 games over five seasons, Danna has racked up 169 tackles (88 solo, 81 assisted), 20.5 sacks and six forced fumbles. He blocked a field goal attempt that preserved the Chiefs’ 17-16 win over Denver.
One of his four sacks this year was of Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen in the AFC championship two weeks ago.
Danna, 27, 6-foot-2, 256 pounds, re-signed with the Chiefs on April 10, 2024, on a three-year, $24 million deal, guaranteed $13 million.
6 CHSL players in 14 Super Bowls
Danna is one of six CHSL players representing four schools who have appeared in 14 Super Bowls.
Tight end Fred Arbanas of Redford St. Mary’s played for the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl IV (Jan. 11, 1970). The Chiefs beat the Minnesota Vikings, 23-7. Arbanas retired after the game ending an eight-year career.
Another De La Salle alumnus, Chris Godfrey, started right guard for the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXI (Jan. 25, 1987). The Giants beat Denver, 39-20.
Few have had a wackier Super Bowl career than that of Buffalo Bills defensive lineman Mike Lodish of Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice. He’s played in six.
He played in four Super Bowls in a row: in Bowls XXV (Jan. 27, 1991), XXVI (Jan. 27, 1992), XXVII (Jan. 31, 1993) and XXXIII (Jan. 31, 1994). To the chagrin of Bills’ fans to this date, the Bills lost all four – to the New York Giants, Washington and twice to Dallas.
Lodish’s luck did a complete turnaround when he was traded to the Denver Broncos and played in back-to-back Bowls — XXXII (Jan. 25, 1998) and XXXIII (Jan. 31, 1999) — and won both, against Green Bay and Atlanta.
Another Brother Rice alumnus, tight end Pete Mitchell, played for the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV (Jan. 28, 2001). Baltimore overwhelmed the Giants, 34-7. Mitchell caught one pass for seven yards.
Guard Doug Brzezinski of Novi Detroit Catholic Central played for the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII (Feb. 1, 2004). Carolina lost to New England on a game-winning field goal.
7 CHSL players still active in the NFL
Some 88 players from 25 CHSL teams have played in the National Football League. In addition to Danna, six CHSL players are still playing in the NFL with success measured from outstanding to hopeful.
Bryce Baringer (Pontiac Notre Dame, Michigan State, punter). Baringer was drafted by the New England Patriots in 2023 and signed a standard four-year $4.02 million rookie contract. He started his career with a punt of at least 50 yards in each of his first 26 games. The streak ended in Week 11 last fall.
Larry Borom (Brother Rice, Missouri, offensive tackle). He was drafted out of Missouri by the Chicago Bears in 2021. He signed a four-year rookie contract. In August he was placed on injured reserve. He was activated on Nov. 2.
Aiden Hutchinson (Dearborn Divine Child, Michigan, defensive end). Hutchinson was selected in the first round with the second overall pick by the Detroit Lions in the 2022 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year contract, worth $35.7 million fully guaranteed. He finished his rookie season with 9.5 sacks and three interceptions and added 11.5 more sacks in his second season. Last October in a game against the Dallas Cowboys, Hutchinson incurred season-ending fractures to both his tibia and fibula. Prior to the injury, Hutchinson had recorded a league-leading 7.5 sacks.
Allan Robinson (Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Prep, Penn State, wide receiver). In 2014, he was drafted by Jacksonville, signed four-year $3.5 million contract. In 2018, he signed three-year $42 million contract with the Chicago Bears. In 2022, he signed a three-year $46.7 million contract with the Los Angeles Rams. He spent a year each with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New York Giants. Last August, he signed with the Detroit Lions. He appeared in 12 games and finished with three receptions for 30 yards.
Josh Ross (St. Mary’s Prep, Michigan, linebacker). Ross signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2022. He made the Ravens’ initial 53-man roster out of training camp. He suffered a foot injury in Week 2 and was placed on injured reserve. He spent 2023 and 2024 seasons on the practice squads. He was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Seahawks last October.
Chris Smith (Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, defensive lineman). Smith has been off and on the Detroit Lions practice squads for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. He was called up for five games in 2024. Smith has been signed for future contracts for the 2025 season.
Contact Don Horkey at [email protected].
