Sooners in the NFL: Super Bowl 57

The 2022-23 NFL season officially came to a close on Sunday night with the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles colliding in Super Bowl 57 in Glendale, AZ.

In a matchup loaded with former Oklahoma players, two former Sooners were able to add a Super Bowl ring to their resume with another two winning the ultimate prize in football for a second time.

Offensive linemen Orlando Brown and Creed Humphrey, long snapper James Winchester and tight end Blake Bell hoisted the Lombardi Trophy on Sunday night after helping the Chiefs winning a classic over the Eagles 38-35.

Brown, the starting left tackle, and Humphrey, the starting center, played their always-essential roles on a Kansas City offense that had a sensational second half.

After a relatively uneven first 30 minutes that saw them put up just seven offensive points, the Chiefs got back to their usual potent self in the third and fourth quarters, splurging for 24 points to get the comeback win.

With Brown and Humphrey at the heart of it, the Kansas City offensive line was tremendous with quarterback Patrick Mahomes never being sacked against the league's best pass rush and the Chiefs running for over six yards per carry as a team.

Winchester, meanwhile, cleanly got off nine snaps on the evening - including on the game-winning field goal in which Kansas City took the lead with just seconds remaining on the clock.

.@buttkicker7 gives the @Chiefs the lead with 8 seconds left!

📺: #SBLVII on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/d8gBDzRt2m pic.twitter.com/zic4DWtJ0a
— NFL (@NFL) February 13, 2023

For Winchester and Bell, this marks their second championships with the Chiefs after both players were members of the Kansas City team that claimed Super Bowl 54 just three years ago.

For Brown and Humphrey, meanwhile, the former Oklahoma greats get to be fitted for their first ever Super Bowl rings, adding to the collection of former Sooners to have won an NFL title.

On the other end of the spectrum, and certainly not to be overlooked, were former OU quarterback Jalen Hurts and offensive lineman Lane Johnson, who came up just short on Sunday night.

While Hurts and Johnson didn’t walk away as champions, it certainly wasn’t do to their efforts being sub-par with both having sensational performances.

Hurts’ night, in fact, was historic as he became the first quarterback in NFL history to run for three touchdowns in the Super Bowl.

3️⃣ first-half touchdowns for @JalenHurts so far#OUDNA | 📺 #SBLVII on FOX pic.twitter.com/YUpEttJ725
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) February 13, 2023

He completed his day having completed 27 of his 38 passes for 301 yards and one touchdown, without an interception, while also adding 70 yards on the ground along with the aforementioned three scores.

Johnson, battling a serious groin injury, did his part in the Philadelphia offense generating 35 points on the board - but it turned out to just not be quite enough against the firepower of Kansas City.

Hurts’ run to the pinnacle of the sport won’t be soon forgotten despite the tough loss in the season finale, however, as he rose to prominence this season showcasing himself as a franchise signal-caller.

Heading into next year, the former Heisman runner-up will certainly be one of the preseason MVP favorites as the Eagles try to climb the mountain again to return to the big game.

The Chiefs, meanwhile, will celebrate their second championship in four years before regaining their footing and gearing up to make another run at the Lombardi Trophy with multiple former Sooners likely back into their key positions as they were in this run to the title.

Kansas City Chiefs

(W 38-35 vs Philadelphia)

TE Blake Bell: DNP (Inactive)
OT Orlando Brown: Started at left tackle, 0 sacks allowed
C Creed Humphrey: Started at center, 0 sacks allowed
LS James Winchester: Served as long snapper for 9 snaps

Philadelphia Eagles

(L 38-35 vs Kansas City)

RB Kennedy Brooks: DNP (Future Reserve)
QB Jalen Hurts: Completed 27 of 38 passes for 301 yards, 1 touchdown, 15 rushes for 70 yards, 3 touchdowns
OL Lane Johnson: Started at right tackle
OL Tyrese Robinson: DNP (Practice Squad)