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SPORTS Wednesday 5 February 2025

Role players often have major impacts on Super Bowl winners

By JOSH DUBOW chance to line up against
AP Pro Football Writer Kansas City’s weakest offen-
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Su- sive lineman with Mike Cali-
per Bowl matchup between endo playing left guard after
Philadelphia and Kansas City All-Pro Joe Thuney moved
isn’t lacking for star power. outside to tackle late in the
Patrick Mahomes and Travis season.
Kelce are among the most Kansas City DE Michael
recognized players in the Danna
NFL thanks to their stellar Chris Jones is the star of Kan-
play, numerous commer- sas City’s defensive line but
cials and Kelce’s pop star Danna played a big role in
girlfriend, and the Chiefs the AFC title game against
have become perhaps the Buffalo. He had five pressures
league’s most visible fran- on 16 pass rushes against
chise thanks to their recent the Bills, according to NFL
dynastic run. NextGen Stats, for his most
The Eagles also have been productive game ever as a
mainstays near the top of the pass rusher.
NFL these past few seasons, He also forced a fumble on
with big-name players like Philadelphia Eagles’ Reed Blankenship (32) celebrates after recovering a fumble against the his one sack and may need
Saquon Barkley, Jalen Hurts Washington Commanders during the first half of the NFC Championship NFL football game, another big game Sunday
and A.J. Brown generating Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Philadelphia. for Kansas City to slow down
plenty of headlines. Associated Press the Eagles.
But if history is any indication, the Eagles two years ago. in Super Bowl 22; or David fensive interior, Williams has Philadelphia RB Kenneth
some lesser-known players That’s been the case over Tyree’s helmet catch that had a strong fourth season Gainwell
could have a big impact the history of the Super Bowl, helped the Giants spoil New in the NFL and should have Barkley gets the focus of the
on the Super Bowl on Sun- whether it was unheralded England’s bid for a perfect the chance to take advan- opposing defenses but that
day. Mecole Hardman MVPs like Larry Brown, Dexter season in Super Bowl 42. tage of a very favorable could provide an opportu-
caught the winning TD pass Jackson or Malcolm Smith; Here are a few players who matchup. Williams had a nity for one of his backups
for Kansas City in overtime in Jack Squirek’s pick-6 for could fill that role on Sunday: career-high five sacks in to deliver. Gainwell had 181
last year’s win over San Fran- the Raiders in Super Bowl 18 Philadelphia DT Milton Wil- the regular season and has yards rushing in three playoff
cisco, and it was Kadarius against Washington; Timmy liams six pressures in the first two games two years ago and
Toney who had a TD catch Smith’s 204 yards rushing While Jalen Carter garners playoff games, according had a 44-yard kickoff re-
and long punt return that in his first career start for much of the attention when to Pro Football Focus. turn in the divisional round
proved crucial in beating Washington against Denver it comes to the Eagles’ de- Williams should get the against the Rams. q

Trump will attend the Super Bowl in

New Orleans

By MICHELLE L. PRICE and ZEKE MILLER broadcasting the football game, though
Associated Press both Trump and his predecessor, Joe
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Biden, were inconsistent about participat-
Trump will attend the Super Bowl in New ing in previous years.
Orleans on Sunday. Trump, a New Yorker who now calls Florida
Trump’s trip to see the Kansas City Chiefs home, has not indicated which team he’s
take on the Philadelphia Eagles was con- supporting, but posted congratulations to
firmed Tuesday by a White House official the Chiefs after their AFC Championship
who was not authorized to speak publicly win last month.
about the president’s plans and spoke on “Congratulations to the Kansas City
condition of anonymity. Chiefs,” Trump said on his social media
It will be his first time attending the game platform. “What a GREAT Team, Coach,
as president. Quarterback, and virtually everything
Trump is also scheduled to sit for an in- else, including those fantastic FANS, that
terview with Fox News’ Bret Baier as part voted for me (MAGA!) in record numbers.
of the network’s preshow programming, Likewise, congratulations to the Buffalo President Donald Trump speaks before signing an executive
which is set to be taped from Florida be- Bills on a tremendous season. order in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Feb. 3,
fore the game. Presidents traditionally They will do a lot of winning long into the 2025, in Washington.
grant an interview to the network that’s future!!!”q Associated Press