Here are some interesting facts about some of the players and coaches as we get closer to the big game.
PATRICK MAHOMES and BROCK PURDY were both in elementary school the last time an NFL team won consecutive Super Bowls.
When New England defeated Philadelphia on Feb. 6, 2005, to secure a second straight title in Super Bowl XXXIX, ANDY REID was on the Eagles’ sideline in a 24-21 loss. This time, Reid, Mahomes and the Chiefs have an opportunity to break the longest stretch of seasons without a repeat champion in NFL history. There were eight repeat winners over the first 39 Super Bowls, but none over the last 18.
LEGENDARY PACE: Kansas City’s PATRICK MAHOMES at age 28 will become the youngest quarterback in history to start a fourth Super Bowl, two years faster than the previous youngest, 30-year-old TOM BRADY in 2007. With a victory, Mahomes would join Brady and Pro Football Hall of Famer TROY AIKMAN as the only quarterbacks ever to win three Super Bowls prior to their 30th birthdays.
Sunday features one of the best defensive matchups in Super Bowl history. During the regular season, Kansas City allowed just 17.3 points per game, second in the league behind Baltimore. San Francisco’s defense (17.5) ranked third.
TREND TIME: San Francisco quarterback BROCK PURDY entered the league as the final choice in the 2022 NFL Draft, held in Las Vegas. Since that day, Purdy has an .808 winning percentage as a starter, has passed for 9.2 yards per attempt, has compiled a 47-14 touchdown-to-interception ratio and owns a 111.2 passer rating – all the best marks in the NFL among quarterbacks with a minimum of 20 starts (including the postseason).
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST: Kansas City’s ISIAH PACHECO is expected to become the first running back since Pro Football Hall of Famer TONY DORSETT in 1977-78 to start Super Bowls in each of his first two NFL seasons. The Chiefs selected Pacheco 251st overall, 11 picks before BROCK PURDY (262nd), in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Like Purdy, Pacheco’s name was announced at a podium in Las Vegas.
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