George Karlaftis returns to Purdue as Super Bowl champ: 'Couldn't have written it up any better'
A blessing. That’s how George Karlaftis describes being picked by the Kansas City Chiefs.
“I thought I was gonna go a little higher and, in retrospect, I’m exactly where I need to be, wouldn’t trade it for the world, honestly,” said Karlaftis, who was the No. 30 selection in the first round and fifth defensive end taken in the 2022 NFL draft
Look at the former Purdue Boilermaker All-American now. He won a Super Bowl title as a rookie last season with the NFL’s “it” franchise, starting every game, and is enjoying a breakout second season.
All this for someone who is still only 22 years old.
“Couldn’t have written it up any better, having started all 20 games as a rookie, winning the Super Bowl, and going on to have a good Year Two, and hopefully we do something similar to what we did last year,” he said. “Just a blessing to be a part of it. I think now it’s fair to say maybe a dynasty, with all the success we’ve been able to have, even before I got here, the success we will continue to have.”
Karlaftis will return to West Lafayette this weekend to serve as an honorary captain for this Saturday’s game vs. Minnesota (3:30 p.m. ET, NBC).
“Can’t wait,” he said. “I’m excited.”
Karlaftis is able to return to Purdue because the Chiefs (an AFC-best 7-2) have a bye this week. He leads the Chiefs with 6.0 sacks and has emerged as one of the NFL’s top pass rushers.
“The franchise is a perfect fit for me, the city, the guys on the team, it’s a great culture, and it’s been really good,” said Karlaftis. “I’ve kind of found my place in the organization and just trying to keep getting better and better. It’s been phenomenal.”
The anchors of the NFL’s hottest franchise: QB Patrick Mahomes and TE Travis Kelce, unabashed stars who transcend the sport and whose personas resonate from coast-to-coast.
The cult of the Chiefs has been rocketed to another dimension this season with international pop sensation Taylor Swift attending games as Kelce’s significant other. Has Karlaftis met Swift?
“Yeah, I have,” he said. “Very normal person, down to earth. I mean, if you didn’t know who she was, you wouldn’t think she’d be the number one personality on the face of the earth, the No. 1 celebrity.”
Karlaftis will leave all of the NFL glitz behind him this weekend. Among this plans while back at Purdue: To attend the West Lafayette High School regional championship game on Friday night. He helped lead the Red Devils to the 2018 Class 3A state title. Karlaftis’ youngest brother–Niko–is on the current WL team.
Saturday at Purdue, he’ll watch another brother: ILB Yanni Karlaftis.
“I’m really proud how my brother’s performed this year,” said Karlaftis. “And just to see Purdue always keep fighting, that’s a good thing. So, yeah, I am just excited to see what the future holds. I think Coach (Ryan) Walters is doing a heck of a job.
“There’s been ups and downs throughout the season. I think that’d be fair to say, especially with first-year head coaches. I think that’s to be expected. They’ve shown a lot of bright spots on the team and on the field and all that stuff.”
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