New England Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower calls Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Courtney Upshaw his "ace." But on Sunday, one will become the sixth former Alabama player to earn two Super Bowl rings, and the other will come up one game short of a second NFL championship.
The Patriots and the Falcons square off at 5:30 p.m. CST Sunday in Houston in Super Bowl LI.
The former Crimson Tide teammates have gotten in each other's way on the path to Super Bowl wins twice already.
In players' rookie seasons, the Baltimore Ravens, with whom Upshaw spent his first four NFL campaigns, beat the Patriots 28-13 in the AFC championship game.