Players, Coaches, and Others with Iowa Ties in the Super Bowl

This Sunday, the fate of the Lombardi Trophy could very well lie in the hands of someone with ties to the state of Iowa. Some you know, others you've probably never heard of. The Des Moines Registers lists the players, coaches, and even some of the broadcasters that will be at work on Super Bowl Sunday, that have ties to the state of Iowa.

Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers, Quarterback

By now I'm assuming everyone in the state knows the amazing story of the former Iowa State Cyclone quarterback. Purdy was the last pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. All he has done is win the starting job, take the Niners to the NFC title game last year as a rookie, and now to the Super Bowl in his second season in the NFL. A win on Sunday would vault Purdy even farther into the stratosphere of sports fame. I think Purdy can handle it.

George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers, Tight End

How ironic is it that the hopes and dreams of the 49ers lie in the hands of two participants in the Cy-Hawk rivalry? Purdy the Cyclone will no doubt be looking for his All-Pro tight end and former Hawkeye George Kittle on Sunday. The Register reports that Kittle put up his first 1,000-yard and All-Pro season since 2019, the last time the Niners were in the Super Bowl. Despite a toe injury that has held him out of some practices, you know Kittle will be ready on Super Bowl Sunday.

Jack Cochrane, Kansas City Chiefs, Linebacker

The former Mt. Vernon High School standout is making his second Super Bowl appearance in two years, according to the Register. The South Dakota alum has found a place on special teams this season and has already made some big plays this postseason!

Cochrane helped take down a fake punt in Buffalo. Could another big special team play seal a Super Bowl win on Sunday?

There are also several coaches this Sunday who have Iowa ties.

• Brendan Daly, Chiefs Linebackers coach, Drake University graduate
• Ryan Reynolds, Chiefs head strength and conditioning coach, University of Iowa graduate

And the Kansas City Chiefs radio broadcast team has two former University of Iowa products. Danan Hughes was a two-sport star at Iowa and now does color for the Chiefs Radio Network. And Josh Klingler is the sideline reporter for the Chiefs Radio Network. Josh worked at KHAK radio from 1993 to 1997 and hosts a sports talk show in Kansas City.