To Florida Atlantic football fans, Federico Maranges may be a familiar name. Maranges played for FAU from 2019-2024, appearing in 42 games and serving as a two-time team captain. In 2023, Maranges won FAU Student-Athlete of the Year.

After his FAU career, Maranges was signed as an undrafted free agent to the Seattle Seahawks, where he competed in training camp and appeared in every Seahawks preseason game. Maranges stayed on the Seahawks’ roster as a member of the practice squad, preparing for games and learning from Seattle’s starters, and he had the same goal en route to the Super Bowl.

“The nerves are there, but this is the moment we practice for and we are ready for this.” Maranges told latinosports.com in an exclusive interview before the Super Bowl.

Maranges earned a master’s degree in biomedical sciences from FAU, shining as a student-athlete, and now he has represented FAU on the biggest stage.

“Hey Owl nation, this is Federico Maranges with the Seattle Seahawks, I’m here in California ready for the Super Bowl, and I just wanted to give a quick shoutout to FAU. Go Owls!” Maranges emphatically stated before the game.

While Maranges represents FAU, he also represents his culture, as the third Puerto-Rican born NFL player, the first since 2011, and the first ever to win a Super Bowl. Maranges was the sixth Latino to play in this year’s Super Bowl.

“It’s important, and I take pride in raising the Puerto Rican flag as high as I can,” and “Thank you God for getting me here to this moment and always motivating and showing the talent of the Latino community and Puerto Rican community throughout the world.” Maranges explained what representing Puerto Rico means to him, furtherly in his interview with latinosports.com.

Maranges not only represents FAU, but also Puerto Rico at Super Bowl LX, and FAU fans can congratulate him. 

Mikai Datilus is the Sports Editor for the University Press. Email him at [email protected] or DM him on Instagram @mikaidat for more information on this and other stories.