On February 13, 2022 the Los Angeles Rams won Superbowl LVI. This makes former Linganore Lancer, Rob Havenstein, a Super Bowl champion! For many students and teachers, it was a special win for this hometown hero.

The Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 to win the second Super Bowl in the history of their franchise. The whole team played well with Quarterback Matthew Stafford throwing for 283 yards and 3 touchdowns. Wide receiver Cooper Kupp totaled 8 receptions for 92 yards and 2 touchdowns. 

The Rams also became the second team in NFL history to have had home-field advantage in the Super Bowl, with the big game being played in SoFi Stadium, located in Los Angeles, California. The only other team to have this luxury was the year before, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers playing the Super Bowl at their stadium. Raymond James Stadium, located in Tampa, Florida, is the home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

“The guys who were on that team in 2018 when we lost the Super Bowl, including myself, were laser focused,” said Los Angeles Rams Offensive Tackle, Rob Havenstein.

At the end of the 2018-19 NFL season, the Los Angeles Rams were set to play the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. The Rams ultimately fell short 13-3, with the Super Bowl MVP being awarded to wide receiver, Julian Edelmen, who put up an incredible 10 receptions for 141 yards. 

The Rams kept key players on the team and made many great additions, such as star cornerback Jalen Ramsey, quarterback Matthew Stafford, wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., and outside linebacker Von Miller. By keeping their key pieces, and adding many great additions, the Rams were able to make it back to the Super Bowl.

One of the most important parts of the Rams Super Bowl season was the immaculate season by wide receiver Cooper Kupp. Kupp exploded onto the scene after an average 2020 season. Kupp ended the regular season with 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns. Kupp was a triple crown winner as well, (which means he led the league in receptions, yards, and touchdowns). Kupp also won the NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award. 

Havenstein is still having a big impact on students here at LHS. The school put up banners and posters before the Super Bowl, saying messages like “Bring Home a Ring, Rob” and “Good Luck Rob!”

Havenstein had an illustrious high school football career. During his senior year, Havenstein was named first-team all state and all area, and served as team captain. During Havenstein’s junior year, he was named First-Team All-State, All-Metro, and All-Area. As a sophomore he was named Second-Team All-Area. Havenstein was ranked as the 33rd offensive tackle in the country, and the 17th best player in the state of Maryland.  Havenstein was also on the honor roll all four years and was a member of the National Honor Society.

Havenstein said that his favorite high school memory was “Winning states with my boys.” the Linganore team beat Huntingtown to win the state game.

In an interview with WTOP News, Havenstein said ,”It’s such a special thing with a special group of guys that have a pure bond.” when talking about Linganore’s state championship win.

Havenstein’s influence is also felt as many of the student athletes look up to Havenstein, in hopes of also going professional.

“Going professional is a long term goal. Set your short term goals that align with your long term. If you want to become a pro athlete, be the best high school player you can be, and then college, and so on,” said Havenstein. 

Havenstein attended Linganore and graduated in 2010. He said many colleges recruited Havenstein such as University of Maryland, University of Virginia, Penn State and Virginia Tech. Havenstein made the decision to attend the University of Wisconsin.

Havenstein played Wisconsin football at the right tackle position from 2010-2014. Havenstein started 42 of his 54 games in college. During Havenstein’s senior year at Wisconsin, the Wisconsin rushing attack was lethal as they averaged 320.1 yards per game, which ranked 3rd in the country. Wisconsin also averaged 6.91 yards per carry, which is the 4th highest rushing average in FBS history. 

Havenstein blocked for three 1,000 yard rushers, Montee Ball, Melvin Gordon, and James White. All three of these rushers are in the top 5 rushers in Wisconsin history. Ironically, James White was on the Patriots in 2018, the year they beat the Rams in the Super Bowl.

The Wisconsin Badgers went 39-16 in Havenstein’s career, matching the second-highest win total by a Wisconsin senior class.

Havenstein has great college memories, including “Winning my last game as a Wisconsin Badger and my only bowl game win.”

Havenstein was drafted in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Other notable players from that draft include Havenstein’s former teammate Todd Gurley, Amari Cooper, and Brandon Scherff. Havenstein has been on the Rams since he was drafted.

Havenstein said “My transition was quicker than most because I walked into the building the first day as a Ram as the starting right tackle so I couldn’t wait a year or anything to learn and get used to the NFL.”

The “Bring Home a Ring” banner stayed on the school balcony for at least a month after the game, but the memory of Havenstein’s influence will last for years to come.