San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs helmets and the Vince Lombardi trophy at the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign ahead of Super Bowl LVIII.
Kirby Lee
USA TODAY Sports
Ohio may not have a team in the Super Bowl, but the state has several players with Ohio ties.
College ballers
According to the NCAA, Travis Kelce, Nick Bosa, Chase Young and Samuel Womack went to Ohio colleges. Kelce was born in Ohio and remained in his home state for college.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce smiles as he answers questions during the media availability at the team hotel in Henderson, Nev., on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, ahead of Super Bowl LVII on Sunday. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Travis Kelce - Kansas City Chiefs
Position: Tight End
Long before he met Taylor Swift, Kelce called Ohio home. He was born in Cleveland Heights and attended college in Cincinnati. The Chiefs drafted Kelce in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft.
Nick Bosa - San Francisco 49ers
Position: EDGE (hybrid of outside linebacker and defensive end)
Bosa was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and played college ball at Ohio State. He was a first round draft, second overall, in the 2019 NFL draft by the 49ers.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock, foreground, reaches for the ball in front of San Francisco 49ers defensive end Chase Young, right, and defensive end Nick Bosa on a failed two point conversion attempt during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Josie Lepe) Josie Lepe AP
Chase Young - San Francisco 49ers
Position: Defensive Lineman
Young was born in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and attended Ohio State. He was drafted in the first round, second overall, of the 2020 NFL draft.
Samuel Womack III - San Francisco 49ers
Position: Corner Back
Womack was born in Detroit, Michigan, and played college ball for Toledo. The 49ers drafted him in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL draft.
Born and bred
According to the U.S. Census, six of this year’s Super Bowl players were born in Ohio. In addition to Kelce, the list includes Darian Kinnard, Nick Zakelj, Kyle Juszczyk, Mike Edwards and Joe Thuney.
Darian Kinnard - Kansas City Chiefs
Tackle Darian Kinnard (75) and guard Vitaliy Gurman (79) participated in drills on the first day of the Kansas City Chiefs rookie minicamp at the training facility Saturday, May 7, 2022. Jill Toyoshiba jtoyoshiba@kcstar.com
Position: Tackle
Darian Kinnard was born right here in Youngstown in 1999. He went to Saint Ignatius High School in Cleveland before continuing his education at the University of Kentucky. He’s played professionally for two years.
Kentucky offensive lineman Darian Kinnard speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Michael Conroy AP
Nick Zakelj - San Francisco 49ers
Position: Offensive Tackle, Guard
Zakelj was born in Broadview Heights and played college ball at Fordham. He’s played pro for two years.
Kyle Juszczyk - San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk (44) is introduced before an NFL wild card playoff football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Santa Clara, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez) Godofredo A. Vásquez AP
Position: Running Back
Juszczyk was born in Medina and played for Harvard before turning pro 11 years ago.
Mike Edwards - Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs safety Mike Edwards (21) intercepted a pass intended to Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) during first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Saturday, January 13, 2024. Al Diaz adiaz@miamiherald.com
Position: Safety
Edwards was born in Cincinnati and went to college at the University of Kentucky. He’s played pro for five years.
Joe Thuney - Kansas City Chiefs
Dec 17, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Kansas City Chiefs guard Joe Thuney (62) in action during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports Eric Canha Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Position: Offensive Guard
Thuney was born in Spring Valley and attended North Carolina State. He’s been pro for eight years.
Kansas City Chiefs guard Joe Thuney (62) against the Philadelphia Eagles during Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium on Feb. 12, 2023. Mark J. Rebilas USA TODAY Sports
This story was originally published February 9, 2024 at 8:01 PM.
Mona Moore was a Service Journalism Desk Editor for the Sun Herald in Mississippi; Mahoning Matters in Ohio; and the Ledger-Enquirer and Telegraph in Georgia. Originally from West Covina, California, she holds a bachelor’s and master’s in corporate and public communication from the University of South Alabama. Mona’s writing and photography have been recognized by press associations in Mississippi, North Carolina and Florida.
