Super Bowl week is officially upon us, and when the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers kick off Sunday afternoon in Vegas, there will be a handful of Mississippi players to look out for.
Keep reading to find out who all will be representing the Magnolia State in Super Bowl LVIII.
Chris Jones
The biggest name from Mississippi in this year’s Super Bowl is undoubtedly Chris Jones. The Mississippi State product has solidified himself as one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL over his eight years in the league with 273 tackles and 75.5 sacks. Coming off his fifth Pro Bowl selection, Jones has compiled 34 tackles, 11 sacks, and one forced fumble during the 2023-24 regular and postseason. It’s also worth noting that Sunday will another good chance for Jones to show his worth as the big man will be looking for a new contract this offseason.
Willie Gay, Jr.
After missing the AFC Championship game with a neck injury, Willie Gay, Jr. is expected to play in Sunday’s big game. The star linebacker out of Mississippi State had 58 tackles and one sack during the regular season and will look to shine bright in the final game of what’s been a scattered postseason for the Starkville native.
Darius Harris
Backing up Gay and the rest of the Chiefs’ linebacker corps is Horn Lake native Darius Harris. The Middle Tennessee State alum hasn’t registered any statistics this year after a 2023 season that included 23 total tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Charvarius Ward
Another Middle Tennessee grad from the Magnolia State, Charvarius Ward is back in the Super Bowl after choosing to leave the Chiefs for the 49ers during the 2021 offseason. In his second year in San Francisco, Ward has been a stronghold in the secondary, recording 78 total tackles, five interceptions, 24 pass deflections, and one forced fumble. If Ward can help the 49ers to their first Super Bowl win since 1995, he’ll be adding a second ring to his collection after winning with the Chiefs in 2020.
Kickoff for Super Bowl LVIII is set for Sunday, Feb. 11 at 5:30 p.m. CT. and will be broadcast on CBS and Nickelodeon.
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