Chiefs' defender made his dream come true with huge Super Bowl performance
The Kansas City Chiefs were in danger of digging a major hole for themselves early in Super Bowl LVII. But thanks to linebacker Nick Bolton, who finished second in the NFL in tackles in 2022, that didn't happen. In the second quarter with just under 10 minutes left, the Philadelphia Eagles were at midfield with […]
The Kansas City Chiefs were in danger of digging a major hole for themselves early in Super Bowl LVII. But thanks to linebacker Nick Bolton, who finished second in the NFL in tackles in 2022, that didn't happen.
In the second quarter with just under 10 minutes left, the Philadelphia Eagles were at midfield with a 14-7 lead facing a third and five. Bolton changed the complexion of the game by causing a fumble by Eagles' quarterback Jalen Hurts and recovering it, taking it 36 yards for a touchdown.
This a dream come true scenario for any defensive player on the Super Bowl stage, and for Bolton, it was bringing his recent vision to life.
"I actually had a dream about scooping and scoring and winning the Super Bowl, probably like two nights ago," Bolton said after the game. "So for it to happen, it's surreal."
Bolton was a second-round pick of the Chiefs in 2021, and he's done nothing but ball since he hit an NFL field. After racking up 112 tackles as a rookie playing 60% of the Chiefs' defensive snaps, Bolton went into another world in year two with 180 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, and a forced fumble, logging 98% of the snaps.
Despite his excellent play, Bolton hasn't even garnered a Pro Bowl nod to this point. However, after having a great regular season, Bolton played his best when it mattered the most.
Showcasing excellent sideline-to-sideline quickness and the ability to fire through gaps, Bolton tallied nine tackles and a forced fumble in the Super Bowl, and the game-altering score that kept the Chiefs in the contest.
Bolton isn't one of the first names mentioned when talking about the league's best linebackers, but Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnoulo feels onlookers should take notice.
“I love him," said Spagnoulo. "I think people should recognize (him). He’s gonna be a good player for a long time.”
Bolton is certainly off to a blazing start in the NFL, and after his Super Bowl heroics, more eyes should be on him in 2023.
Feature image via Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
