A Kentucky Wildcat Can Make Super Bowl History

There were 18 former Kentucky Wildcats on week one NFL rosters. Ahead of Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, one can come home with a ring and make history, even if he doesn’t play in the game.

Former Kentucky offensive tackle Darian Kinnard can become the second player to win three consecutive Super Bowls. Ken Norton Jr. won back-to-back championships with the Cowboys before the linebacker won a ring with the 49ers in 1994. Kinnard won two rings with the Kansas City Chiefs. This year, he’s on the Philadelphia Eagles’ sideline.

The record may be even more remarkable iff Kinnard does not play. He could have as many Super Bowl rings as appearances in NFL games.

In 2021, Kinnard became the first Consensus All-American offensive tackle for Kentucky since 1965. He was selected in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. He appeared in one game during his rookie year and then was relegated to the practice squad for the entire 2023 campaign.

Kinnard signed with the Eagles ahead of the 2024 season. The reserve offensive lineman has appeared in two games this season, earning his first career start in week 18 after Philadelphia locked up the No. 2 seed in the NFC.

The former Kentucky Wildcat spent the entire regular season on the 53-man roster, but he has been inactive throughout the Eagles’ run to the Super Bowl. Even if he’s inactive on Sunday, if the Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs, Kinnard is making history with another Super Bowl ring.

Eighteen former Kentucky Wildcats have won 21 combined Super Bowl rings. Three played for Mark Stoops: Kinnard, Phil Hoskins (Chiefs, 2023), and Mike Edwards (Bucs in 2021, Chiefs in 2023).

Louisville Native Can Win a Super Bowl Ring

Full disclosure, I was a little surprised when I showed up to my kids’ preschool and a teacher was wearing a Chiefs’ No. 75 jersey. “That’s random.” Turns out, her nephew can win a Super Bowl this weekend.

Ethan Driskell was a little-known prospect when the Louisville Holy Cross product signed to play with Marshall. He worked his way into a starting role on the offensive line as a redshirt sophomore and never gave up the spot. The three-year starter signed as a free agent with the Chiefs ahead of the 2024 season. The reserve offensive lineman only appeared in one game, the regular season finale against the Broncos, but he’ll be in New Orleans with a chance to add a Super Bowl title to his resume.

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