Nashville's Super Bowl ties include Patrick Mahomes, A.J. Brown for Chiefs vs Eagles
Former Tennessee Titans A.J. Brown and Brett Kern won't be the only state of Tennessee ties in the Super Bowl on Sunday between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs. In fact, there are quite a few. You just have to dig a little deeper to find them.
For instance, Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes has a unique tie to Nashville. His father was a pitcher for the Nashville Sounds and they lived in Nashville when Patrick was in the first and second grades.
Here are some of the other ties:
Kansas City Chiefs
Ugo Amadi, safety (Overton, Titans): Amadi, a standout at Overton (2013-15), returned to Nashville this season from the Seattle Seahawks and played in two games for the Titans. After being waived Oct. 31 Amadi was signed to the Chiefs' practice squad. He was called up to the active roster Nov. 12 and played against Jacksonville before returning to the practice squad.
Darius Harris, linebacker (MTSU): In his third season with the Chiefs Harris has recorded 43 tackles, which is 10th on the team, and 1.5 sacks.
Patrick Mahomes, quarterback (father played for the Nashville Sounds): Patrick Mahomes Sr. was a pitcher for the Nashville Sounds in 2003 and 2004. He posted a record of 10-8 and struck out 59 batters in two seasons. It was during that time on Aug. 26, 2003, when Mahomes got a rare start for the Sounds' Major League affiliate at the time Pittsburgh Pirates and earned a win in his final Major League game.
Trey Smith, offensive lineman (Tennessee Vols): Smith, who is from Jackson, Tennessee, is in his second season. He was a sixth-round pick (226 overall) in the NFL Draft. In 2021 Smith and Creed Humphrey started all 17 regular season games, becoming the 17th and 18th players in franchise history to start all regular season games in their rookie season. This season Smith became known for his pancake blocks leaving defenders flat on their backs.
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Pat Sperduto, co-director of college scouting (Nashville Kats coach and Titans assistant): Sperduto was coach of the Arena Football League's Nashville Kats from 1991-2001 and 2005-07. He assisted with the Titans' coaching and scouting staffs from 2001-08.
Philadelphia Eagles
Derek Barnett, defensive end (Brentwood Academy, UT Vols): Barnett, the 14th overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft, suffered a season-ending ACL injury on Sept. 12 against the Detroit Lions. He had a career-high 46 tackles and two sacks in 2021.
Reed Blankenship, safety (MTSU): Blankenship, the Blue Raiders all-time leading tackler, was an undrafted free agent who made his NFL debut Week 5 against Arizona and has played well since then. In four starts he recorded 34 tackles. He had eight tackles against the Dallas Cowboys and intercepted Aaron Rodgers in a game against Green Bay.
A.J. Brown, wide receiver (Titans): Brown led the Titans in receiving in his first three seasons (185 catches, 2,995 yards, 24 TDs) before being traded to the Eagles last spring. Ranked fourth in the NFL in the 2022 regular season (88 catches, 1,496 yards, 11 TDs).
Jake Elliott, kicker (Memphis): Coming off a Pro Bowl season in 2021, Elliott converted on 20 of 23 field goals this season, including a long from 56 yards.
Kenneth Gainwell, running back (Memphis): In his second season, Gainwell was Philadelphia's third-leading rusher with 240 yards on 53 carries and four TDs.
Jonathan Gannon, defensive coordinator (Titans): Gannon was a Titans defensive quality control coach (2012-13).
Brett Kern, punter (Titans): After spending 13 seasons as the Titans' punter Kern was released in the preseason when rookie Ryan Stonehouse won the punting job. Kern signed with Philadelphia's practice squad on Dec. 12 after the Eagles' starting punter Arryn Siposs was injured. Kern was signed to the active roster on Jan. 7 and has averaged 40.8 yards on 10 punts with a long of 53 yards.
Jason Michael, tight ends coach (UT, Titans): Michael, who played at Western Kentucky, was a graduate assistant at UT (2003-04) then the Titans' offense coordinator (2014-15) and quarterbacks coach (2016-17).
Aaron Moorehead, wide receivers coach (Vanderbilt): Moorehead was the receivers coach at Vanderbilt from 2018-19.
Kevin Patullo, passing game coordinator (Titans): Patullo was the Titans' assistant wide receivers coach in 2014.
Tracy Rocker, defensive line coach (UT Vols, Titans): Rocker was UT's defensive line coach from 2017-19. He was the Titans' defensive line coach from 2011-13. While he was at UT, Rocker's son Kumar was an ace pitcher for Vanderbilt.
Alex Tanney, assistant quarterbacks coach (Titans): Tanney signed with the Titans practice squad in 2014 and after re-signing in 2015 made his NFL debut against Indianapolis relieving the injured Zach Mettenberger.
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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville Super Bowl ties include Patrick Mahomes, A.J. Brown
