Former Wisconsin Badgers LB Advances to Super Bowl LVIII

On Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs took down the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship game, marking their second straight Super Bowl berth for former Wisconsin Badgers football star LB Leo Chenal. 

By advancing to Super Bowl LVIII, a former Badger will appear in the Super Bowl for the 38th time out of 58 occurrences.

Former Wisconsin Football Star LB Leo Chenal Advances to Super Bowl LVIII

Nov 13, 2021; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin linebacker Leo Chenal (5) tackles Northwestern tight end Marshall Lang (88) during the second quarter of their game on Saturday, November 13, 2021 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin beat Northwestern 35-7. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

This appearance marks the second straight time Chenal and the Chiefs have made the Super Bowl. Chenal won his first ring as a rookie last season when Kansas City took down the Philadelphia Eagles. 

In the regular season, Chenal appeared in 17 games with ten starts, posting 40 tackles, 8.0 TFLs, seven QB hits, and a pass breakup. He’s also registered nine tackles in three games during the playoffs. According to Pro Football Focus, Chenal recorded an overall grade of 76.5, with a 79.2 run-defense grade and a 73.8 pass-rush grade in 446 total snaps.

Chenal, a Gransburg, Wisconsin native, played with the Wisconsin football program from 2019-2021. The former Badger appeared in 29 games with 18 starts at inside linebacker, posting career totals of 180 tackles, 25.5 TFLs, 12 sacks, three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and an interception. After a standout junior year, Chenal earned the Butkus-Fitzgerald Big Ten Linebacker of the Year award and was a consensus First-Team All-Big Ten honoree. He would later be selected in the third round by the Kansas City Chiefs. 

If Chenal and the Chiefs can secure their second straight Super Bowl title, it will mark the 24th time that a former Wisconsin Badgers player has taken home the Lombardi Trophy.

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