Super Bowl rooting interests

Not sure who to root for in the Super Bowl as an Eagles fan? Take these athletes with local ties into consideration:

San Francisco 49ers
** K David Akers
-- Spent 11 years with the Eagles, setting team records in career points, FG made, and about 700 other categories. He also completed one pass for 11 yards during that time.
** TE Garrett Celek
-- Younger brother of Eagles TE Brent Celek. He has four catches for 51 yards on the season.
** CB Chris Culliver
-- Second-year defensive back was born and raised in Philadelphia, but played high school ball in North Carolina.
** LB NaVarro Bowman
-- The Pro-Bowl linebacker played college football at Penn State.

Baltimore Ravens
** S Sean Considine
-- Drafted by the Eagles in 2005, Considine collected more than 110 tackles as a defensive back over his first four years. This season, he has played mainly special teams.
** RB Bernard Pierce
-- The Ardmore native and Temple star has been a key backup for the Ravens, rushing for more than 500 yards on the season.
** C Gino Gradkowski
-- Rookie offensive lineman was a fourth-round draft pick from University of Delaware, where he served as a co-captain during his senior year.
** QB Joe Flacco
-- The five-year pro is the highest NFL draft pick in University of Delaware history (18th overall) and arguably the most successful pro player in school history (with apologies to Rich Gannon).
** LB Jameel McClain
-- The Philadelphia native and George Washington High star was placed on injured reserve for the season in late December.
** Coach John Harbaugh
-- Spent nine years on the Eagles coaching staff, and served as special teams coordinator during the team's 2004 Super Bowl run.

The Ravens have an impressive list of Philly connections, but let's be honest -- you really don't care about anyone on this list other than Akers. Here's hoping he gets his ring.