These Super Bowl LVIII Chiefs & 49ers have Georgia roots. Who are they?

Chelsea Madden
·2 min read
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Super Bowl LVIII is right around the corner on Sunday, Feb. 11.

The big game will take place at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada as the Kansas City Chiefs battle the San Francisco 49ers.

Malik Herring - Kansas City Chiefs

Georgia defensive lineman Malik Herring (10) heads to the locker room with a chain around his neck — a recognition for defensive players — after an NCAA football game between the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the University of Florida Gators in TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fl., on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018.
Georgia defensive lineman Malik Herring (10) heads to the locker room with a chain around his neck — a recognition for defensive players — after an NCAA football game between the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the University of Florida Gators in TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fl., on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018.

Position: defensive end

Now, I know this one. As a fellow Forsythian and MP Bulldog, I know that this player is a huge deal to Middle Georgia.

Malik Herring is originally from Forsyth, Georgia, and attended high school at Mary Persons High School. Once he graduated, he attended the University of Georgia (UGA) and was eventually signed as a free agent to the Chiefs.

Mecole Hardman - Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (17) fumbles a punt in front of Buffalo Bills cornerback Siran Neal (33) during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. Buffalo recovered the fumble.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (17) fumbles a punt in front of Buffalo Bills cornerback Siran Neal (33) during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. Buffalo recovered the fumble.

Position: wide receiver

Hardman is from Bowman, Georgia, and attended high school at Elbert County High School. He went to UGA and played there from 2016 to 2018. He was selected by the Chiefs in 2019.

Harrison Butker - Kansas City Chiefs

Jan 7, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Kansas City Chiefs place kicker Harrison Butker (7) watches his field goal against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Kansas City Chiefs place kicker Harrison Butker (7) watches his field goal against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Position: kicker

Nicknamed “Butt Kicker,” Butker is from Decatur, Georgia, and went to high school in Atlanta. He then attended Georgia Tech and played football there from 2013 to 2016. In 2017, he was signed to the Chiefs.

Jerick McKinnon - Kansas City Chiefs

Position: running back

McKinnon’s nickname is “Jet,” and he is a running back for the Chiefs. He is originally from Atlanta, Georgia, and went to high school at Sprayberry in Marietta. He went to Georgia Southern and played there from 2010 to 2013. He has previously played for the Vikings and 49ers, but signed with the Chiefs in 2021.

Jaylen Watson - Kansas City Chiefs

Position: cornerback

Watson was born in Augusta, Georgia, and went to high school at Laney. Once he graduated, he attended Ventura College from 2017 to 2018 and then went to Washington State from 2020 to 2021. He landed on the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022.

Wanya Morris - Kansas City Chiefs

Position: offensive tackle

Morris was born in Grayson, Georgia, and began his rookie year in 2023 with the Chiefs. He played college football at Tennessee and Oklahoma.

Charlie Woerner - San Francisco 49ers

Georgia tight end Charlie Woerner (89) leads his teammates his prayer after an NCAA football game between the University of Georgia and Texas A&M in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019.
Georgia tight end Charlie Woerner (89) leads his teammates his prayer after an NCAA football game between the University of Georgia and Texas A&M in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019.

Position: tight end

Woerner was born in Tiger, Georgia, and played college football at the University of Georgia. He was selected in the sixth round draft pick in 2020 for the 49ers. Fun fact about Woerner: he has caught several sharks while fishing in the ocean.

Robert Beal Jr. - San Francisco 49ers

Georgia outside linebacker Robert Beal Jr. (33) and Fain and Billy Slaughter Defensive Coordinator and outside linebackers coach Dan Lanning during the Bulldogs’ session on the Woodruff Practice Fields in Athens, Ga., on Monday, Aug. 12, 2019.
Georgia outside linebacker Robert Beal Jr. (33) and Fain and Billy Slaughter Defensive Coordinator and outside linebackers coach Dan Lanning during the Bulldogs’ session on the Woodruff Practice Fields in Athens, Ga., on Monday, Aug. 12, 2019.

Beal was born in Michigan, but went to high school in Suwanee, Georgia. He went to the University of Georgia and played football there from 2019-2022 and in 2023, he was a fifth round pick for the 49ers.

Did I miss one? Comment below or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com