1 MA Native, 1 Former Patriot Representing Chiefs In Super Bowl 2023

GLENDALE, AZ — When the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs face off Sunday for Super Bowl LVII in State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, fans in New England may see some familiar faces.

Two players on the Kansas City Chiefs roster have ties to Massachusetts. One as a high school star and the other as a stalwart offensive lineman on the Patriots for a number of years.

Noah Gray was born in New Hampshire, but grew up in Worcester County — Gardner — before staring as a wide receiver and quarterback at Leominster High School. He played college football and Duke, and now serves as a useful alternative to future Hall of Fame tight end Travis Kelce in Kansas City.

Gray was a second-team All-American at Duke in 2019, and was drafted by Kansas City in the fifth round in 2021.

Now, for Patriots fans, this one may sting a bit.

Joe Thuney was drafted by the Pats in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft. His career has been steady, with a Pro Bowl on his resume and one Super Bowl each with the Patriots and Chiefs.

He started 15 games for the Chiefs this season, making up one-third of perhaps a top-5 inside offensive line trio with center Creed Humphrey and right guard Trey Smith.

Between them, the 2023 Super Bowl teams have 104 former college football players on their rosters. They played ball for 63 colleges, with the Oklahoma Sooners sending the most — six — to the Super Bowl.

Florida, Michigan and Mississippi State are all sending four players each; Alabama, Cincinnati, Florida State, Louisiana Tech, Nebraska and Washington State are sending three players each; and Auburn, Memphis, Middle Tennessee State, Old Dominion, Rutgers, SMU, Texas Tech, USC, and Wisconsin are each sending two players.