The Kansas City Chiefs upset victory over the favored Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship game last season propelled the team to back-to-back Super Bowl titles. Third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun didn’t play in the game but was critical to the team’s weekly preparation.
Oladokun appeared on the “Stuck in My Thoughts” podcast hosted by Justin Stuckey to discuss his experience on the Chiefs practice squad as a difference maker in the AFC Championship game victory over the Ravens.
“Coach (Andy) Reid was like, ‘Hey, this has never been done before, but our Defensive Player of the Game,'” said Oladokun, “and he said my name and the defense was fired up for me. To have that validation, like, ‘We need you. You helped us win this game, and it is something I’ll never forget because I’m not waking up at 5:30 every morning for nothing. I’m valuable to this team.”
Oladokun’s study of league MVP Lamar Jackson and simulation of his style helped the Chiefs’ defense during practices. Although he may not have played an official regular season or playoff game for Kansas City, he’s gained the coaching staff’s and teammates’ trust.
“Anyone out there, whether it’s practice squad or not, playing a lot,” said Oladokun, “you just have to find your role or find a way to help the team in any way possible.”
The former seventh-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers has been on the Chiefs’ practice squad for the past two seasons. During that time, he appeared in several preseason games.