Former Richlands High School and West Virginia University star Mike Compton won two Super Bowl rings with the New England Patriots.
Compton’s finest moment came during Super Bowl XXXVI at the Superdome in New Orleans in 2002. Compton started at left guard in New England’s 20-17 victory over the St. Louis Rams.
Ironically, New England entered that game as a huge underdog and few gave them a chance to win. It’s funny how times have changed.
Compton was also on the field, when Adam Vinatieri’s field goal split the uprights as time expired to give New England the win.
“I was the right guard on the play. The right guard on the kicking team had hurt his back like two field goals earlier,” Compton said in a 2002 interview with the Bristol Herald Courier. “I just got in my stance and told myself, `Make sure this guy doesn’t get around you and stay low and don’t let this thing get blocked.’ When the ball was snapped I stepped down behind the center and the guy tried to come over me and I just ended up cutting his legs and then there was a big pile.
“When I first got to where I could see .... it already hit the net and started dropping down. I happened to see somebody in the stands, right about field goal post level in a New England jersey start jumping up and down. I wear a tinted visor that protects me because I have light sensitive eyes. It was all sweaty and fogged up and I happened to peak under it and see the ball fall on the ground. I just took my helmet off and ran halfway down the field and just squatted down. It was an unbelievable feeling.”
Compton would get his other championship ring two years later when New England posted a 32-29 win over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII. However, Compton had suffered an injury earlier in the season and did not play in the Super Bowl.
You can bet Compton will be tuning in on Sunday to watch his former teammates take on the Giants. And if the Patriots team is a dynasty, Compton was on the team that started it all.