Super Bowl LIV is almost upon us. That's #54 in case you're wondering. Let's start with a quick reason for those Roman numerals. According to SB Nation, here's what the NFL media guide says:

The Roman numerals were adopted to clarify any confusion that may occur because the NFL Championship Game—the Super Bowl—is played in the year following a chronologically recorded season. Numerals I through IV were added later for the first four Super Bowls.

Considering that logic, let's hope the College Football Playoff National Championship doesn't adopt those rules. Then again, the NFL probably has roman numerals trademarked. They seem to have most everything else locked down. Ok, I digress... on to the original intent of this story.

Super Bowl 54 (I have to admit, that does look weird) promises to be a great game.  As of this morning, CBS Sports reports Kansas City is a 1.5 point favorite to beat San Francisco. The Iowa Hawkeyes and UNI Panthers combined have five players on this year's Super Bowl rosters.

Let's begin with Xavier Williams from UNI. He's in his fifth season, his second with the Kansas City Chiefs. Williams wears #98 and is a reserve defensive lineman for Kansas City.

Kansas City Chiefs v Pittsburgh Steelers
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The Kansas City Chiefs have two former Iowa Hawkeyes on their roster for the big game, including the team's leading tackler.

Anthony Hitchens, #53, is in his sixth NFL season and his second with the Chiefs. He led Kansas City in tackles for the second consecutive season, this year with 88. I love this shot of him coming out of the tunnel for a playoff game on January 12. That fog machine was working overtime.

Divisional Round - Houston Texans v Kansas City Chiefs
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The other Hawkeye on the Chiefs roster is also a linebacker. #56 Ben Niemann is in his second year in the NFL, both with Kansas City. He is also the team's seventh-leading tackler with 56.

Kansas City Chiefs v New England Patriots
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On the other side of the field will be two more Hawkeyes, one of which is one of the biggest characters in the game, and also perhaps the best player at his position in the entire league.

Tight end George Kittle not only wears #85, that's also the number of catches he has this season. That's 19 more than any other player on the 49ers roster. You're likely to hear just as much about his terrific blocking during Sunday's telecast. Kittle is in his third season, all with San Francisco. He was a first-team All-Pro this season.

San Francisco 49ers v New Orleans Saints
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Former Hawkeye quarterback C.J. Beathard, #3, is a member of the 49ers practice squad. He's been inactive for all of San Francisco's games this year after starting five games for the 49ers in each of his first two seasons in the league.

That makes four Iowa Hawkeyes on the rosters of the two teams in this year's biggest pro football game. Only L.S.U. and Penn State have more, with five each, according to CBS Sports.

Super Bowl LIV begins Sunday afternoon at 5:30 p.m. on Fox TV.

Seattle Seahawks v San Francisco 49ers
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