A gritty effort from former Nebraska center Cam Jurgens helped the Philadelphia Eagles knock off Washington in the NFC Championship game and advance to the Super Bowl.
Jurgens had been battling a back injury for most of the week and went through warmups before Sunday’s game, but ultimately the Eagles opted to start guard Landon Dickerson at center in place of Jurgens, with the former Husker serving as the backup center.
After Dickerson went down with a knee injury, Jurgens entered the game and gritted through the second half with a bad back.
«I was trying to get ready for the game, but knew it wasn’t best for the team,» an emotional Jurgens told the NFL Network after the game. «I knew I was going to have to be ready in case anything happened.»
Jurgens will now continue to try to work back for the Super Bowl. He told reporters after Sunday’s game that he will be ready for the Super Bowl — his second as a professional.
«I’ll be great for the Super Bowl,» he told reporters.
The Eagles’ 55-23 victory on Sunday also means that Nebraska will have several alums playing in the Super Bowl. In addition to Jurgens, former Husker offensive lineman Nick Gates is on the Eagles’ roster. Former defensive end Ochaun Mathis is also on the Eagles’ practice squad. This will mark the 43rd Super Bowl with a Husker on the roster of a Super Bowl team.