Two Bulldogs set for Super Bowl showdown
In recent years, Super Bowl Sunday has begun to be appointment viewing for Mississippi State fans beyond anticipating commercials and the halftime show.
For the third-straight season, the Bulldogs will have at least one player playing in the big game as Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay and Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones each punched tickets on Sunday. Their appearances at Super Bowl LIX in two weeks will mark the 39th Super Bowl all-time with a Bulldog playing. It’s the fifth time in the last six years.
State has had 36 players earn trips to the game over the years.
It was a 2-0 day for the former Dawgs in their conference championships beginning with the Eagles in the early afternoon. Philly ran wild including pouring in 21 fourth quarter points in a 55-23 blowout win over the Washington Commanders.
Slay helped lead the Eagles defense in the win as the veteran CB had three tackles and they were able to hold off Rookie sensation Jayden Daniels and the Commanders. It was the 17th win of the year for Philly and got the team into the Super Bowl for the second time in the last three seasons. It was the sixth NFC Championship for the Eagles in franchise history.
While the second Super Bowl appearance for Slay makes him one of just 12 former Bulldogs to accomplish it, Jones is almost in a league of his own. The Chiefs star grabbed his fifth Super Bowl appearance as his Chiefs found a way to win a 32-29 ball game against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship.
Jones helped spearhead some big moments from the Chiefs defense beyond his one tackle in the game. The All-Pro defender consistently drew the attention of the Bills’ offensive line on the way to the win.
The Chiefs will be making a third-straight trip to the Super Bowl and the fifth in Jones’ career. Jones will tie D.D. Lewis for the most trips for a Bulldog to the biggest game. Jones already holds the most Super Bowl rings among Bulldog players ever and he has a chance for a fourth ring in two weeks.
This will be the second meeting for these two teams in the last two years as the Chiefs and Eagles met in 2023 with KC coming out on top, 38-35. The game will take place at the New Orleans Superdome on February 9.
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