Tag: James Winchester

Oklahoma Sooners lead the way with most Super Bowl Participants of any school

The Oklahoma Sooners lead all colleges with the most alumni playing in Super Bowl LIX.

Oklahoma might soon need to add “Super Bowl U” to its header. The Sooners will lead the way for the third year in a row, with eight former Sooners playing in Super Bowl LIX.

The Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles will meet in the championship game for the second time in three seasons and both rosters are full of Sooners.

For the Eagles, [autotag]Jalen Hurts[/autotag] and Lane Johnson have been instrumental to Philadelphia’s success over the last several years. They advanced to the Super Bowl with a dominating 55-29 win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday.

Kansas City has the other six Sooners in the big game. Joining the best center in the game, Creed Humphrey, are WR [autotag]Marquise Brown[/autotag], RB Samaje Perine, OL Wanya Morris, OL McKade Mettauer, and long-snapper James Winchester.

The Chiefs are looking to become the first team in NFL history to three-peat as Super Bowl Champions, while the Eagles are looking for their second title in the last decade.

Super Bowl LIX will take place on Sunday, February 9, at 5:30 p.m. on Fox.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.

Chiefs announce playoff captains ahead of divisional round matchup vs. Texans

See which #Chiefs players were named playoff captains ahead of Kansas City’s divisional-round matchup against the Houston #Texans on Saturday.

The Kansas City Chiefs have officially announced which players will serve as playoff captains for their AFC divisional-round matchup against the Houston Texans on Saturday, January 18.

The highly coveted title is typically bestowed upon a team’s most experienced players, who are expected to lead their squad in the postseason.

The Chiefs’ official playoff captains are quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, kicker Harrison Butker, defensive lineman Chris Jones, linebacker Nick Bolton, and long snapper James Winchester.

The defending Super Bowl champions disseminated their announcement in a post to Twitter that featured a dashing portrait of their captains in their best suits:

Each of Kansas City’s playoff captains has extensive postseason experience and is considered among the best players in the NFL at his respective position.

Fans should expect to see all of the Chiefs’ biggest stars put on a show when Kansas City faces off against the Texans this weekend.

Just one Saints player remains from their last visit to Arrowhead Stadium

There’s plenty of turnover in the NFL, but this is stunning. Just one player remains from the Saints’ last visit to Arrowhead Stadium:

It’s been a long time since the New Orleans Saints last made the trip to Arrowhead Stadium for a game with the Kansas City Chiefs, but they’ll be back on Monday night. There’s plenty of turnover in the NFL, but this is stunning. Just one player remains on the roster from the Saints’ last visit in 2016: Cameron Jordan.

Because this is an inter-conference matchup pitting an NFC team against an AFC opponent, the Saints have only kicked off with the Chiefs a dozen times in franchise history, or once every four years. And with the home-and-away structure rotating each game, it’s been eight seasons since they last played the Chiefs in Kansas City.

None of Jordan’s teammates from that game (a 27-21 loss) are still suiting up for New Orleans, though many of them are still active around the NFL; guys  like Thomas Morstead, Wil Lutz, Terron Armstead, and Vonn Bell, among a few others. A couple have turned to coaching, including Jahri Evans (with the Saints), Zach Strief (on the Denver Broncos), and James Laurinaitis (at Ohio State).

That’s not to say the Chiefs have kept their squad together. Just three players are left on the opposing sideline, too — tight end Travis Kelce, defensive tackle Chris Jones, and long snapper James Winchester. In total, of the 89 players who got on the field for at least one snap on offense, defense, or special teams between the two sides, only four are still on their respective rosters.

Hopefully the Saints come away  with a win this time. And, hopefully, the next time they visit Arrowhead Stadium they’ll have done a better job  drafting, developing, and most importantly retaining their talent.

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Chiefs Dave Toub explains not using Travis Kelce as backup long snapper vs. Lions

Kansas City #Chiefs Dave Toub explains not using Travis Kelce as backup long snapper vs. Lions | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs have multiple players who can fill in at various positions based on their skill sets.

Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub spoke with reporters on Tuesday after practice to discuss his reasoning for not going to Travis Kelce as the backup long snapper after James Winchester’s injury last Saturday.

“(Travis) Kelce is our backup long snapper, and Kelce during the regular season, I could throw him in there, and he’s dynamite, does a great job, but he was already out of the game,” said Toub. “So now we’re up to our third snapper (Noah Gray), where you really don’t work a guy, but he did a couple of snaps on Saturdays, like during the mock games during the year last year. They just threw him in.”

Noah Gray stepped in admirably during the game, receiving quick coaching on the position from Winchester, Harrison Butker, and Matt Araiza.

“Those guys took him in the back there, Jay (Winchester), (Harrison) Butker, and Matt (Araiza), those guys took them on the side; I’m still, you know, coaching the game,” said Toub. “Those guys had him in the back there and got him ready to go. And he did a great job.”

The Chiefs expect to have Winchester back in the lineup for the regular season opener on September 5th against the Ravens. Newly signed former Kansas State Wildcat Randen Plattner will fill in for Thursday’s preseason finale.

Chiefs sign ex-Wildcat to fill in for injured long snapper

The #Chiefs signed former Kansas State long snapper Randen Plattner to fill in for James Winchester, who was injured in Kansas City’s matchup against the #Lions.

According to a report from Arrowhead Pride Editor-in-Chief Pete Sweeney, the Kansas City Chiefs signed former Kansas State Wildcat Randen Plattner to temporarily replace long-snapper James Winchester, who exited Saturday’s loss to the Detroit Lions due to a shoulder injury.

Though Plattner’s time in Kansas City is expected to be brief, his addition could be a valuable way for the Parkville, Missouri native to establish himself in the NFL and potentially gain a more permanent role with another team.

The extent of Winchester’s injury is unclear, but Plattner’s presence will ensure that the Chiefs’ special teams unit has an experienced long-snapper ready for field goals and punts.

According to his bio on the official Kansas State football website, Plattner saw action in 62 games during his collegiate career and was a semifinalist for the Patrick Mannelly Long Snapper of the Year award in 2023.

Expect to see Plattner in action for the first time when Kansas City faces the Chicago Bears in their final preseason exhibition on Thursday.

Chiefs re-sign long snapper James Winchester

The #Chiefs re-signed long snapper James Winchester on Monday just after the legal tampering period of free agency opened.

The Kansas City Chiefs have reportedly agreed to terms on a new contract for long snapper James Winchester.

News of the move came just after the NFL’s legal tampering period of free agency opened on Monday morning and was first reported by Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com.

While the details of Winchester’s new deal haven’t yet been released, Chiefs fans can rest easy knowing that a key piece of Kansas City’s special teams unit is officially under contract for at least one more season.

Winchester has played for the Chiefs since 2015 after initially joining the NFL as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.

He played collegiately at the University of Oklahoma and has made a name for himself as one of the league’s most consistent long snappers.

This move might not be the flashiest, but it will prove to help Kansas City maintain continuity on its special teams unit, which is expected to lose All-Pro punter Tommy Townsend.

Sooners lead the way in Super Bowl participants

Oklahoma Sooners lead the way in number of participants in this year’s Super Bowl.

Oklahoma fans will have plenty of reason to watch this year’s Super Bowl regardless of their NFL fan affiliation. Even if you aren’t a fan of the Kansas City Chiefs or the San Francisco 49ers, multiple Sooners on both teams will battle for the right to be crowned Super Bowl LVIII champions.

The talented Chiefs are spearheaded by the league’s best quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, whom the Sooners know all too well. The former Texas Tech quarterback is the league’s best player, and despite his team not being the juggernaut it has been in the past, the team is one win away from its third title in four Super Bowl appearances.

Two former Sooners, All-Pro Creed Humphrey and Wanya Morris, anchor the offensive line that helps block for Mahomes. Morris has been a revelation this season for the Chiefs and looks to be a core part of the Kansas City’s future. Humphrey is considered one of the league’s best centers.

Joining them in the Super Bowl is Blake Bell, known to many in the OU fandom as the “Belldozer.” Blake Bell has carved out a reliable role as a backup tight end and special teams player for the Chiefs. He has ties to both teams in this game. It was the 49ers who drafted him in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft.

He caught a pass in the last Super Bowl these teams played against one another in 2019. Lastly, James Winchester is making his fourth Super Bowl appearance. He’s the most tenured of all Sooners turned Chiefs and has spent nine years as the long snapper for Kansas City.

The list of Sooners for the NFC Champions isn’t quite as long, but San Francisco has its own Crimson and Cream flair. Trent Williams, one of the league’s best players and a sure-fire Hall of Famer, will make another trip to the Super Bowl as he looks to cement his career with a ring.

Williams has been a dominant force even as he entered his 30s. His play has yet to diminish, and he’s the driving force behind an elite 49ers offense. Brayden Willis, a fan favorite from his time in Norman, will have the chance to win a Super Bowl ring in his rookie year after he was drafted in the seventh round last April.

That’s six Sooners set to play for a Super Bowl title—the most of any school in the country for the second consecutive year. While rooting interests may be divided, no matter what happens, multiple Oklahoma Sooners will be crowned champions when the dust settles on Super Bowl LVIII.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Bryant on Twitter @thatmanbryant.

11 former Oklahoma Sooners to watch during NFL Wild Card weekend

Want to know what former Sooners will be competing this weekend? We’ve got you covered.

The Oklahoma Sooners are known for putting players in the NFL. In fact, Oklahoma ranked in the top 10 for most players on an NFL roster on opening day this season and led the Big 12 in that stat.

The NFL playoffs are finally upon us with several former players who donned the Crimson and Cream playing this weekend. Whether it’s the redemption story of [autotag]Baker Mayfield[/autotag], the continued Hall of Fame career of [autotag]Lane Johnson[/autotag] or solidifying his place as one of the top receivers in the game of football today in [autotag]CeeDee Lamb[/autotag], there are a ton of storylines for Sooner fans to watch.

So, without further adieu, let’s take a look at the former Sooners playing this weekend in order of when their game will be played.

James Winchester named Chiefs’ Salute to Service Award nominee

Long snapper James Winchester was named the #Chiefs’ Salute to Service Award nominee for the 2023 season.

The Kansas City Chiefs named long snapper James Winchester as their Salute to Service Award nominee on Wednesday, opening the door for the long-tenured special teamer to add another accolade to his impressive resume.

The two-time Super Bowl champion has become a fan-favorite since signing with Kansas City back in 2015 and has been a key contributor to special teams coordinator Dave Toub’s game plans for the better part of a decade.

According to the NFL, the Salute to Service Award, which is presented by USAA, “recognizes NFL players, coaches, staff and alumni with proven commitment to honoring and supporting military and veteran communities, as nominated by NFL clubs.”

Winchester’s participation in community service with the Chiefs is well-documented, and his affinity for working with veterans makes him an ideal fit for nomination for such a prestigious award.

Fans are encouraged to vote for the veteran long-snapper to increase his chances of winning the coveted decoration.

WATCH: Chiefs long snapper James Winchester gets his own highlight reel

James Winchester got his own highlight reel ahead of the #Chiefs’ final preseason game against the #Browns.

The Chiefs’ social media team says “Long snappers deserve their own highlights too,” and we agree.

Chiefs long snapper James Winchester has been with Kansas City for the past eight seasons, and for a good reason: he’s very consistent at doing his job well.

Not only does Winchester rarely deliver a bad snap, but he’s also good for an occasional special teams tackle, and sometimes even a forced fumble and fumble recovery as well. Here’s a look at Winchester at his best:

While long snappers are essentially centers who also snap the ball, they are generally required to be more lean and athletic in order to run down the field and make tackles on punt coverage. This makes long snappers more like center/linebacker hybrids, creating a unique player who plays an often thankless position.

But Winchester, who stands at 6-foot-3 and 209 pounds, plays that hybrid role perfectly. And despite entering his ninth season at 34 years old, he doesn’t seem to show any signs of slowing down whatsoever.