The Super Bowl is often viewed as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for players. And for most players, it never happens at all.
And for two Carolina Panthers players, the reality of not suiting up on Sunday has really struck a chord.
Carolina cornerback Charles Tillman on Wednesday Tweeted a photo of himself lining up across from wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin with a line saying, "I think @kelvinbenjamin and I might be able to suit up on Sunday for #SB50. Whatcha think?"
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Tillman and Benjamin, of course, both currently reside on the team's injured-reserve list.
Benjamin, a towering 6'5" pass catcher, was placed on IR in early September with a torn ACL. The second-year wideout missed the entire regular season after injuring his knee in training camp.
Tillman on Jan. 4 was diagnosed with a torn ACL, as well, and was placed season-ending injured reserve. A 13-year veteran, Tillman played in a Super Bowl once before - a loss to Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts when he was with the Chicago Bears in 2006.
Both players are ineligible to return for Sunday's game.