Former Tulsa Football Standout Headed To Super Bowl

Many Tulsans are hoping one Patriot player in particular has a good game... and wins.

Mark Anderson will be the local boy representing Tulsa in his second Super Bowl appearance. The Patriots' defensive end was born and raised here.

Even as a high school player at Booker T, coaches say they knew -- one day, Anderson would be an NFL standout.

Long before he was sacking the star players. Mark Anderson made a name for himself on the local gridiron, leading Booker T. Washington's football team to two state championships.

"A lot of history, a lot of pride," Loder Fisher

Hornets coach Loder Fisher helped foster Anderson's talents on the football and basketball teams.

"He had that attitude of working. You know, trying to find out what makes me better. Tell me what it is, I'll go do it," he said.

Anderson graduated in 2001 -- exchanging Hornets orange for Alabama crimson.

Coach Fisher watched his protege play every Saturday -- and then, every Sunday, when Anderson went pro. Each time, seeing that spark that made Anderson a stand-out.

"Now, can we say we knew he'd play in two Super Bowls? That's a lot of chance involved," Fisher said.

A chance Coach Fisher knows Anderson will make the most of -- the proof is on his finger.

"This is one of those things I get to wear that Mark was a big part of putting on my finger," he said.

It's a 2001 high school championship ring Coach Fisher hopes Anderson will get to trade in for one that says Super Bowl Champion.

"If he gets a Super Bowl ring, I can be happy knowing that Mark has his Super Bowl ring. I can look at his," Fisher said.

Coach Fisher says win or lose Sunday, Mark Anderson earned his place on the field at the Super Bowl and in the classrooms at Booker T.

"I want Mark to know that we're proud that he represents us the way he has represented us throughout his college career and his pro career. This is a close as we're going to get to playing in the Super Bowl: him in the Super Bowl," Fisher said.

The Anderson family is already in Indianapolis with the Patriots as they practice for the showdown this Sunday.