NFL Playoffs: Football Players from Virginia Playing Sunday

A former C. D. Hylton High School student is in this weekend’s NFL playoffs, and there are several from elsewhere in Virginia and Washington, D.C.

The San Francisco 49ers will play the Atlanta Falcons at 3 p.m. this Sunday, Jan. 20, on FOX in the first of two NFL Conference Championship games.

The Baltimore Ravens will play the New England Patriots at 6:30 p.m. on CBS.

The winner of each game will go play in the NF: Championship game (better known as the Superbowl) on Feb. 3.

Here’s who you might see on the field this Sunday from Virginia:

San Francisco 49ers

Ahmad Brooks is a linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers who had 50 tackles in 2011 and is on track to beat that this year. He went to the University of Virginia and went to C.D. Hylton High School in Woodbridge and Hargrave Military Academy. (See Brooks’ bio here). He was born in Fairfax.

Joining Brooks is Cam Johnson, a rookie linebacker. He just moved to the active roster in late December, so he has only played in two games this season. He also attended the University of Virginia and went to Gonzaga College High School in D.C. (See Johnson’s bio here.)

Josh Morgan left the 49ers in March 2012 and is now a player for our Washington Redskins. He went to Woodson High School in DC and also played for Virginia Tech.

New England Patriots

Danny Aiken joined the New England Patriots in 2011 after playing for the Buffalo Bills. He is a line snapper who played for the University of Virginia, Cave Spring High School in Roanoke and Fort Union Military Academy.

Jerod Mayo, a linebacker, has been playing for the Patriots since 2008. He attended Kecoughtan High in Hampton and the University of Tennessee. Fun fact: He filmed a scene in the “Three Stooges” movie during the 2010 offseason with former Patriots wide receiver Troy Brown. (See Mayo’s bio here.)

Cornerback Ras-I Dowling is on the Patriot’s injured/reserve list after a thigh injury in October. He attended Deep Creek High School in Chesapeake, and played for the University of Virginia.

Atlanta Falcons

Jason Snelling originally joined the Atlanta Falcons in 2007. He is a running back. Another University of Virginia player, Snelling attended L.C. Bird High School in Richmond. (See Snelling’s bio here.)

Baltimore Ravens

Quarterback Tyrod Taylor joined the Baltimore Ravens in 2011 after playing for the Denver Broncos. Taylor attended Virginia Tech and went to high school at Hampton High School in Hampton. (See Taylor’s bio here.)