The Super Bowl is fast approaching on Sunday, and while the Atlanta Falcons will not be playing in the championship game, Georgia will be heavily represented by 12 NFL players with ties to the Peach State:
Kansas City Chiefs
Harrison Butker
The 29-year-old kicker and Decatur native began his football career as a player at The Westminster Schools in Buckhead, later transitioning into playing with Georgia Tech. After his college career, he was drafted by the Carolina Panthers before signing with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017. He is a three-time Super Bowl champion.
Butker courted controversy in May 2024 for his comments during a commencement address at Benedictine College.
In his 20-minute address, Butker denounced abortion rights, Pride Month, COVID-19 lockdowns and “the tyranny of diversity, equity and inclusion” at the Catholic liberal arts college in Atchison, Kansas. He also told women in the audience to embrace the “vocation” of homemaker and said that some Catholic leaders were “pushing dangerous gender ideologies onto the youth of America.” The NFL distanced itself from the comments.
Butker went silent Monday when asked by a reporter at the Super Bowl opening night event, “What do you think about gays?”
An NFL official waved off the questioner and Butker, seemingly unfazed, went about answering other questions.
“I understand that this is a great evening and we’re here to focus on the game,” Butker said. “Maybe if I saw him without a camera we’d have a great conversation.”
Hunter Nourzad
Born and raised in Marietta, Nourzard played for The Walker School in Cobb County before playing college football at Cornell University and Penn State. This is his first season with the Chiefs and his first professional season in the NFL.
Jaylen Watson
The Augusta native and Laney High School graduate played two seasons of college football from 2017-2021 before being signed to Kansas City in 2022. The cornerback’s tenure with the team has made him a two-time Super Bowl champion.
Malik Herring
A UGA alumnus and Forsyth native, Herring has played for the Chiefs since 2021 as a defensive end. Like Watson, his tenure with the team has netted him two Super Bowl rings.
Wanya Morris
The Grayson native and Chiefs’ offensive tackle has been with the team since last season, where he won his first Super Bowl ring at the age of 23.
Philidelphia Eagles
Darius Slay, Jr.
The Eagles cornerback and Brunswick native has been with the Eagles since 2020 after a six-year stint with the Detroit Lions. This will be his second Super Bowl appearance with Philadelphia.
E.J. Jenkins
Jenkins played at Georgia Tech in 2022 before stints in the NFL with the New York Jets, Eagles and Las Vegas Raiders. He returned to the Eagles this season. This will be the tight end’s first Super Bowl appearance.
Jalen Carter
A Florida native, Carter played two seasons at UGA before being drafted by the Eagles as a defensive tackle. Like Jenkins, Sunday will serve as the 23-year-old defensive tackle’s Super Bowl debut.
Jordan Davis
The 25-year-old defensive tackle attended UGA for three seasons before joining the Eagles in 2022. This will mark his second Super Bowl appearance with the team.
Keele Ringo
Another UGA veteran, the cornerback Ringo has been with the team since 2023. This year’s championship marks the 22-year-old’s Super Bowl debut.
Lewis Cine
Former UGA safety Cine played two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and one season with the Buffalo Bills before joining the Eagles. This is his debut season with the team and first Super Bowl.
Nolan Smith Jr.
Smith, a Savannah native and UGA alumnus, has been a linebacker for the Eagles for the past two seasons. Sunday will mark his first Super Bowl appearance.
AP contributed to this report.
