Skip To Main Content

John Carroll University Athletics

home of the Blue Streaks
Tom Arth '03 and Brandon Staley
Danny "LS" Markino

14 Blue Streaks Ready to Rep JCU in the 2023 NFL Playoffs

| By: JCUSID (photo courtesy of Los Angeles Chargers)
The Chargers have the largest contingent of Blue Streaks in the playoffs with five in total, including Head Coach Brandon Staley and Pass Game Specialist Tom Arth.
After an incredible regular season, the 2023 NFL Playoffs have arrived.

The quest for Super Bowl LVII will feature many familiar faces for members of the John Carroll University community. 

In all, 14 Blue Streaks will be in the NFL playoffs on six different teams. Here's who to root for as we enter Wild Card Weekend. To learn the full history of John Carroll's connection to the NFL, click here. 

Bolt Up in Duval County

If you're a Blue Streak fan, you should be rooting for the Los Angeles Chargers against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday.

The Chargers have the largest contingent of Blue Streaks in the playoffs with five in total, led by the dynamic duo of General Manager Tom Telesco '95 and Head Coach Brandon Staley. The Bolts earned the top Wild Card spot, so they'll travel to Jacksonville to face the Jaguars, who snuck into the playoffs with a win last week over the Tennessee Titans. 

Beyond the GM-head coach duo, three Blue Streaks work hard for the Chargers. Tom Arth '03 works as a Pass Game Specialist for the Chargers, helping Justin Herbert develop further this season. Danny Markino '18 is a key member of the PR team, serving as Senior Coordinator for Football Communications. Former JCU coach Kevin Kelly is the team's Director of College Scouting.

The Bolts play the Jags on Saturday at 8:15 pm on NBC. 

Micca Makes a Difference in Buffalo

Just 11 days ago, the sports world was shaken up after Bills player Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest during a hit in a Monday Night Football game vs. the Cincinnati Bengals. In the days since, Hamlin has made an incredible recovery, recently being discharged from the hospital.

One of the members of the Bills' life-saving medical team is Joe Micca, a 2010 John Carroll alum. Micca works as a rehabilitation coordinator-physical therapist for the Bills, an expanded role he took in July 2021. He's been with the organization since 2016.

Micca was one of 13 members of the Bills' medical team recognized last weekend at Highmark Stadium for the life-saving work after Hamlin collapsed. 

If you needed one more reason to root for the Bills on Sunday in their 1 pm matchup vs. the Dolphins on CBS, you have it now. 

Rooting for the Ravens

If you're a Browns fan, you may not know who to root for in Sunday's Ravens vs. Bengals game (at 8:15 pm on NBC). We'll make that call for you: Root for the Ravens!

John Carroll has plenty of connections to the Ravens in high places. The Ravens' offensive mastermind, Greg Roman '94, hopes to lift Baltimore past the Bengals without starting QB Lamar Jackson. Despite missing Lamar, the Ravens enter the playoffs with a 10-7 mark, thanks in part to Roman's leadership as Offensive Coordinator.

Pat Moriarity '93G is one of the league's top capologists. Since joining the franchise, over the course of 28 years, Moriarty has negotiated player contracts totaling over $1 billion. He's a critical member of the front office.

And if you tune into the Ravens' radio broadcasts, a Blue Streak is a key member of that team. Will Blake '19 serves as the Director for the Baltimore Ravens Gameday Network, making the radio broadcasts happen. He'll be in Cincinnati on Sunday evening. 

One More Home Game for Milsom and the Bucs

It was another banner season in Tampa Bay for Ben Milsom '01 and the Buccaneers.

The Bucs are in the playoffs and will play on home field this weekend at Raymond James Stadium, hosting the Dallas Cowboys on Monday at 8:15 pm.

Thanks in large part to Milsom, the team's Chief Ticketing Officer, the Bucs have enjoyed stellar attendance numbers this season. Per ESPN, the Bucs rank fifth in the league in attendance percentage at 100.3%, just one of five teams with a perfect 100% mark or better.

Milsom is one major reason to root against America's Team on Monday evening.

Flying into the Playoffs

The Philadelphia Eagles have been one of the NFL's most dynamic teams this season, and the Blue Streaks behind the scenes have played a major role in that.

As a result of the team's regular season success, to the tune of a 14-3 record, the Eagles will be sitting at home this weekend, awaiting their foe in the divisional round. 

David Caldwell '96 has worked for Philadelphia as a personnel executive for a front office that made smart moves in the offseason to win the NFC East. Jarrod Kilburn '14 received a promotion in the offseason, working this year as a college/pro scout. The Eagles' smart scouting has placed them in this wonderful position. 

Former JCU coach Joe Kasper also is in Philly as the wide receivers coach for a second straight season. A.J. Brown has thrived under Kasper this season after coming to the Eagles in an offseason trade, while Devonta Smith has also blossomed into an outstanding receiver.

Chiefs Remain on the Throne

The AFC will run through Kansas City again this season.

The Chiefs punched their ticket to the AFC Divisional round thanks to a dominant 14-3 campaign with Patrick Mahomes at the helm. Behind the scenes, Jalen Myrick '19 has worked hard to keep the success rolling.

Myrick has served as a pro scout this year for KC. The Chiefs have made wise moves this year, such as a trade for speedy wideout Kadarius Toney. 

Best of luck to all of our Blue Streaks in the postseason! 
Print Friendly Version

Related Videos

Now Playing:

Related Stories

Sponsors