Wisconsin fans weren't really rooting for either team, but they were rooting for Zack Baun. The former Wisconsin Badger has turned into an NFL star linebacker. He was both an All-Pro this year and in the running for Defensive Player of the Year. He is one of the coolest stories in all of the NFL, as he signed a one-year "prove-it" deal with the Eagles after being buried on the New Orleans Saints depth chart.
His play in the Super Bowl was even more impressive as he led the Eagles in tackles and intercepted Patrick Mahomes late in the first half. He was all over the place and was a big reason that the Chiefs struggled to move the ball. His story is remarkable; his play is fantastic, and now...
Former Wisconsin Badger Zack Baun is a Super Bowl champion
He is now a Super Bowl champion and is about to head into the offseason with a chance to become one of the highest-paid linebackers, thanks to his amazing play all year for the Eagles. Badger fans took to social media to celebrate his victory.
𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐄𝐑 𝐁𝐎𝐖𝐋 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐏 𝐙𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐁𝐀𝐔𝐍
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) February 10, 2025
Congratulations, @zackbizzaun!! 👏#OnWisconsin x #SBLIX pic.twitter.com/xheeVYvnaw
Super Baun Champ #Badgers pic.twitter.com/G7zU3MseaY
— Zach Hanley (@ZachHanley2) February 10, 2025
Zack Baun. Super Bowl champion. pic.twitter.com/uNuv2Quv4C
— Ryan (@BrewPack8) February 10, 2025
The Wisconsin product gets his first Super Bowl ring. pic.twitter.com/rsqHs2idZO
— The Camp (@The_Camp_WI) February 10, 2025
MY GOAT ZACK BAUN pic.twitter.com/NILYOxH2D8
— ALIVE AGAIN (@deadbadgers18) February 10, 2025
Zack Baun: Super Bowl Champion
— Dillon Graff (@DillonGraff) February 10, 2025
GIVE ZACK BAUN THE BLANK CHECK. pic.twitter.com/vM6v7buGKo
— Victor Williams (@ThePhillyPod) February 10, 2025
Baun has exceeded all expectations this season, even his own. He had a 500K bonus in his one-year contract for making it to the Pro Bowl. He said he laughed about having that in there because "I didn’t think I could reach it at this point in my career." Even Baun didn't think that was a realistic scenario and yet he not only cashed that check, he just won a Super Bowl.
He is now the 17th Badger to hoist the Lombardi trophy, and this is the fifth year in a row that a Wisconsin player has been a Super Bowl champion. The last time there wasn't a Badger in the winner's circle was 2020. Leo Chenal of the Kansas City Chiefs was the last Badger to win it in 2023 and 2024.