Super Bowl Day in the Bay: Opening Night

Golden Bear greats are back in the Bay

Once the clock hit zero in Denver during the AFC Championship, the realization hit for former Cal safeties Jaylinn Hawkins and Craig Woodson. They would be coming back to the Bay for Super Bowl 60 with the New England Patriots.

Write For California had the opportunity to chat with the former Golden Bears as apart of the Opening Night festivities in San Jose. Both players oozed their gratitude from their time with Cal and mentioned that they would be visiting their alma mater later today during their week in the Bay Area in the lead up to the Super Bowl.

Woodson, a 4th round rookie draft pick, mentioned how his Cal and Patriots vet Hawkins really set the emotions in motion once QB Drake Maye got the first down. That glee carried over to the on field celebrations, where it hit Woodson that “dang, we’re really going back home." The Cal stalwart went on to say that the Bay Area became a second home for him, and that its almost too surreal to imagine the path he’s been on ever since his college career came to a close at the 2024 LA Bowl.

“I never knew that we were going to be playing together again man. It’s been a blessing, he’s [Jaylinn Hawkins] helped me out a lot coming into this year. Just balling out with him, it makes just the game that much more fun.” - former Cal and Current Patriots S Craig Woodson

Woodson exclaimed that he looked forward to seeing some of the staff that is still in Berkeley from this time, including Assistant General Manager Marshall Cherrington and Director of Recruiting Benji Palu. In the same vein, he acknowledged that while he doesn’t know much of the new staff yet, he looks forward to building that relationship.

Hawkins and fellow DB Carlton Davis III echoed how “turnt up” (excited) Hawkins was to return to the Bay and that the four year safety was making it a point to recommend food spots, especially in the taco sector.

Jaylinn, a first year Patriot, emphasized how crazy it is when things fall into place, especially as a veteran who has been at different stops. He mentioned the brotherly mentality that’s taken shape with Woodson, and that the chemistry and how tight the defensive back room was in Berkeley were attributes that have carried over to the Northeast.

“Our room at Cal, it was really close. Craig was apart of that, finding out he’s coming here, I’m going to make sure to do whatever it takes to make sure he’s comfortable. I’m an open book.” - former Cal and Current Patriots S Jaylinn Hawkins

Both defensive backs looked back fondly on their time as Bears, sensing the full circle moment that awaits them at Levi’s Stadium. Patriots DB Marcus Jones and LB Robert Spillane both stated that the Golden Bear safeties are staunch communicators, aren’t entitled by asking questions at every turn and always bring energy that benefits the team.

Day one of our Super Bowl coverage concludes with the full interviews from our time with Jaylinn Hawkins and Craig Woodson.