By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor

Super Bowl Sunday is nothing short of a National Holiday in many households across the nation. Family and friends gather around the TV with their favorite tailgate foods and drinks to take in the spectacle of 'the big game', whether that be the commercials, the halftime show, or the game itself.

In Super Bowl XLVI, the New England Patriots and New York Giants are facing off in a rematch of Super Bowl XLII (in my opinion, the best of my lifetime; the pass from Manning to Tyree that Tyree caught on his helmet still amazes me).

If you've watched ESPN, you've heard more than you ever wanted to know about Eli Manning and Tom Brady, comparing the two defenses, etc., but Southeast Missouri football fans have something else to watch for in the game: Dan Connolly.

Connolly is a 2005 graduate of Southeast Missouri State University. The 29 year old is New England's starting center, and was a four-time All-Ohio Valley Conference offensive lineman for the Redhawks.

Connolly's path to the NFL was a tumultuous one; after not being picked up in the '05 NFL Draft, Connolly signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars, but was released by the team in 2007. He was signed to the Patriots active roster in February '08, but was released on October 20 and re-signed to the practice squad two days later.

Connolly was promoted to the Patriots active roster for the 2009 season and stared four games when veteran Stephen Neal went down with an injury.

When Logan Mankins missed the first seven games of the 2010 season due to contract issues, Connoly filled in at left guard. He was put on the reserve list during Week 9, but came back at right guard after a season-ending injury to Neal.

Connolly's most publicised moment came in a Dec. 19, 2010 contest against the Packers - the 6'4", 314-pounder ran bank a kickoff for 71 yards to set up a Patriots touchdown, and set an NFL Record for the longest kick return by a lineman. The feat earned him AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors - he was the second lineman to ever earn the award.

Keep an eye out for big No. 63 when the Patriots take the field during the Super Bowl.

Below is Connolly's record-setting kick return during the 2010 season.