Clarence Vaughn and his Washington Redskin teammates enter Super Bowl XXII as 3/u-point underdogs to the Denver Broncos.

However, Vaughn should be used to this situation by now, as he has battled the odds himself to make it in the National Football League.

The 6-foot, 202-pounder entered the NFL in April as an eighth-round draft choice out of NIU. Although he played inside linebacker for the Huskies, Vaughn was projected as a pro safety.

He went to training camp, but he didn’t exactly get rave reviews from the Redskins organization. Washington General Manager Pete Beathard said defensive coach Richie Petitbon was down on Vaughn’s prospects.

“At the time we had them (draftees) in, Richie Petitbon thought Vaughn had no chance,” Beathard said.

Vaughn, who now wears No. 31, knew he had an uphill battle.

“It wasn’t like a Lorenzo White going pro or an Alonzo Highsmith. I had to work at it,” Vaughn said. “The odds were against me.”

Vaughn said he had a “pretty bad game” against Tampa Bay during the preseason, but then he was named Redskin defensive MVP against the Los Angeles Rams the following week.

“I bumped heads with (former NIU quarterback) Tim Tyrrel, who I played with at Northern,” Vaughn said. “I got to hit Eric Dickerson a few times and I also grabbed an interception.”

Vaughn played in five games during the regular season and registered only two tackles before he hurt his right ankle against the Philadelphia Eagles Nov. 8.

The rookie was called off the injured reserve list in time for the divisional playoff game against the Bears Jan. 10. He was able to come back to Chicago, where he grew up and went to Gage Park High School. He said it was also a thrill to play in Soldier Field and against Walter Payton.

“I didn’t remember how cold it was in the Midwest until I came back for the Bears game. Here (the Eastern Seaboard) I go around half-naked during practice and guys on the team ask me if I’m cold,” the Chicago native said. “It was a dream come true because the Bears defense always inspired me.

“I saw Payton on the sidelines after the game and I was thinking he had nothing to be ashamed of. He was a living legend. I feel very blessed to play in his last game.”

Vaughn said he would have played more against the Bears but Matt Suhey was hurt and the Bears brought in the speedier Dennis Gentry, promting the Redskins to go with another cornerback instead of Vaughn. He then started to prepare for the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship Game Sunday.

“I was a nickleback on second and third downs and I covered the backs mostly,” he said. Vaughn made four tackles, including a sack of Wade Wilson. “It was a blitz we practiced all week. I came around the corner and a guy tried to pick me up, but he was too late. It was great to get a sack in the NFL in such an important game.”

Vaughn had some very interested observers back in DeKalb—NIU head football coach Jerry Pettibone and defensive coordinator Tim McGuire, among others.

“Usually if you’re not a fourth-round draft pick (or better), your chances are very slim,” Pettibone said. “It’s a great thing for Clarence and for our program to have a player in the Super Bowl.”

“I was just so happy for him,” McGuire said. “He’s had a chance to play and he’s done well. I just told him to win the Super Bowl and come and show off his ring.”

But making the Redskins’ squad is not the only adversity Vaughn has had to overcome during his playing days. While at NIU, he lettered on the 1983 California Bowl championship team and in 1984 but ran into trouble with the books.

He was dismissed from the university after the fall semester in 1984 and went to Kishwaukee Community College and raised his GPA. However, an NCAA rule requires a player that transfers back to a university from a junior college must complete 24 hours before regaining his eligibility. He fell short and was forced to sit out the 1985 season. He returned in 1986 to finish second on the team with 96 tackles.

“I guess it didn’t really hurt much,” said Vaughn, who is making over $60,000 a year without using his degree in criminal justice. “I guess I had a chance to rest my bones. Everything worked out okay.

“I’m very happy now, but we haven’t won the Super Bowl yet. It’s been a blessing from the Lord. He’s been my strength and power. When I was drafted I never imagined my first year would end like this.”