When the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks clash in Super Bowl XLIX Sunday in Glendale, Ariz., only four players with ties to Alabama universities will be suited up for play.

But the field of green, carpet-like grass where big linemen and quick-footed backs will battle for the coveted trophy is all Alabama. The turf – a hybrid Bermuda – is grown by Bent Oak Farms, based in Foley, near Gulf Shores.

The second week in January, 30 refrigerated trucks left Foley for Glendale, where the grass has been installed for the Super Bowl at the University of Phoenix Stadium, said Mark Paluch, co-owner of the company that specializes in athletic fields.

Paluch said he and co-owner Doug Lipscomb would much rather avoid any personal attention and instead focus on their product.

“I’m from Elmore County. We grow this grass near the beach and we ship it all over the country,” said Paluch. “We’ve been in business as Bent Oak since 2007.”

The company has a Facebook page, and word about the grass seems to spread, he said.

“When you provide the grass for championship games, Major League Baseball, and college and professional football, people hear about you,” Paluch said. “It’s grown on plastic. If it rains, the teams can still play well on this grass.”

Bent Oak Farms usually has eight to 12 employees. Once the grass is shipped to a stadium, crews and grounds teams at the venues handle the care and maintenance, Paluch said.

Super Bowl Q&A

Is this the first time Bent Oak Farms has provided grass for a Super Bowl?

No. Bent Oak Farms has provided the grass for the last five Super Bowls that have been played outdoors. Bent Oak also provided the grass for the 2015 Pro Bowl.

What other sports teams and venues use grass from Bent Oak Farms?

Bent Oak provides the grass for the Houston Astros, Miami Marlins, Atlanta Braves, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, the University of Alabama, the University of Georgia and Auburn University.

What players with Alabama ties are on the rosters for Super Bowl XLIX?

Dont’a Hightower, a linebacker from the University of Alabama, plays for the New England Patriots.

Four players with state university ties play for the Seattle Seahawks: James Carpenter, a guard from the University of Alabama; Tavaris Jackson, a backup quarterback from Alabama State University; and Kevin Norwood, a wide receiver from the University of Alabama.

Jesse Williams, also from the University of Alabama, is on injured reserve for the Seahawks.

–Sherrel Stewart