Four Former Tigers to Compete in NFL Conference Championship Weekend

Pittsburgh, and Wide Receiver Sammie Coates, aim for a shot at Super Bowl LI this weekend against New England (Photo: Getty Images)

The National Football League season has reached the conference championship portion of the playoff schedule, and for four former Auburn Tigers, they will be along for the ride. On the American Football Conference side, Wide Receiver Sammie Coates of the Pittsburgh Steelers will battle Defensive Backs Jonathan Jones and Brandon King of the New England Patriots for a spot in Super Bowl LI, that will be played on February 4 at Houston’s NRG Stadium. In the Steelers win over Kansas City last Sunday, Coates recorded 24 yards on a kickoff return. Coates has provided an offensive spark in Pittsburgh, as six of his 21 receptions have gone for over 40 yards, which is tied for best in the NFL. King recorded one tackle in New England’s win over Houston last Saturday night, Jones did not earn a stat. Pittsburgh meets New England in the AFC title game Sunday at 5:40 pm CT. Another former Tiger will compete in the championship round with the Atlanta Falcons, as they prepare to meet the Green Bay Packers on Sunday in what will be the final football game at the Georgia Dome. Josh Harris, who played for Auburn from 2009-11, will play in his 80th game this Sunday, as he serves as Atlanta’s deep snapper on all kicks and punts. Former Tiger safety Robenson Therezie played for Atlanta for a majority of the season, before ultimately being cut on December 22. A day later, he was picked up by the New Orleans Saints. Atlanta meets Green Bay in the NFC Championship game this Sunday at 2:05 pm CT. Last week, three more former Tigers took part in the NFL Divisional Round. Defensive end Dee Ford recorded three tackles for the Chiefs against Pittsburgh, Fullback Jay Prosch aided Houston’s offensive output in their loss to New England, and cornerback Neiko Thorpe made two tackles in Seattle’s loss to Atlanta.