Tag: James Winchester

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.

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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.

Oklahoma Sooners tied with Florida for most players in the Super Bowl

Led by Jalen Hurts, the Oklahoma Sooners are tied with the most players heading to the Super Bowl.

The Oklahoma Sooners share the distinction of most players from their school heading to the Super Bowl. Both the Sooners and the Florida Gators are sending seven to compete for the NFL’s greatest prize.

The Sooners

  • [autotag]Jalen Hurts[/autotag], QB – Philadelphia Eagles
  • [autotag]Lane Johnson[/autotag], T – Philadelphia Eagles
  • [autotag]Tyrese Robinson[/autotag], G – Philadelphia Eagles
  • [autotag]Creed Humphre[/autotag]y, C – Kansas City Chiefs
  • [autotag]Orlando Brown[/autotag], Jr., T – Kansas City Chiefs
  • [autotag]Blake Bell[/autotag], TE – Kansas City Chiefs
  • [autotag]James Winchester[/autotag], LS – Kansas City Chiefs

The Sooners are well-represented on both sides with several players set to play a huge part in deciding the Super Bowl. That includes Pro Bowl selections Brown and Humphrey for Kansas City and, across the sideline, Hurts. (He could also be counted with Alabama, where he spent his first three college seasons, which would give the Crimson Tide four Super Bowl representatives.) Johnson is one of the most accomplished linemen in franchise history – not bad for the former Kilgore College backup quarterback. – Paul Myerburg, USA TODAY Sports

The Oklahoma Sooners are represented by players from both the Bob Stoops and Lincoln Riley eras. By way of playing the most important position on the field, Jalen Hurts is the most significant name on the list. If he plays well, the Eagles are going to have a great chance to win. The argument about “who can claim Hurts” is silly. He was fantastic for Alabama and helped them win a lot of games. It’s just convenient that both schools sport crimson.

It’s possible, though, that Hurts isn’t even the best player on his team. If offensive linemen or lines could win an MVP award, Lane Johnson would be in the running as well. His emergence into one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL is nothing short of extraordinary. Hurts and Johnson are evidence of what’s possible if you’re willing to work for it. Of course, they have the God-given talent to make their work ethic mean something.

On the Chiefs side of things, former Bill Bedenbaugh pupils Orlando Brown and Creed Humphrey will be tasked with keeping Patrick Mahomes upright. Humphrey is arguably the best center in the game, and Brown is no slouch at tackle either. That duo is a significant reason why the Chiefs are back in the Super Bowl.

Sooner faithful will have no shortage of rooting interests when the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs meet on Super Bowl Sunday.

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Quartet of former Sooners head to Super Bowl with Kansas City Chiefs

Four more former Sooners are headed to Glendale for the Super Bowl after the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship

Just mere hours after Lane Johnson and Jalen Hurts punched their ticket to Glendale for the Super Bowl, former Sooners Blake Bell, Creed Humphrey,  Orlando Brown Jr., and James Winchester will be headed to the big game as well with the Kansas City Chiefs.

It was tough sledding for the duo of Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine against a stout Chiefs defense. The two were held to 41 yards on 13 carries. Perine did get into the end zone on a goalline carry, where he powered through the Chiefs’ front to tie the game at 20 a piece.

While there were some unfortunate officiating moments during the AFC Championship, a matchup between the Chiefs and Eagles promises to be a good one. Jalen Hurts is looking to put a stamp on what has been a phenomenal season, and Patrick Mahomes is trying to gain some ground in the greatest of all-time debate.

Both Hurts and Mahomes are MVP and Offensive Player of the Year finalists. The winner of both awards will be announced before the Super Bowl at the NFL Honors ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 9 at 8 p.m. CT. The awards show can be seen on NBC, streaming on Peacock, and on NFL Network.

As it stands, there are six former Sooners on active rosters of the remaining two teams. OU fans will have more than a few faces to root for in Glendale in two weeks.

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League-high 9 Sooners in action on NFL’s conference championship weekend

Oklahoma has a league-high nine former Sooners playing in the NFL’s conference championship weekend. Here’s a look at the nine in action.

There will be plenty of Oklahoma representation during the NFL’s conference championship weekend. Nine former Sooners are on active rosters and will be in action on Sunday looking to advance to Super Bowl LVI.

It’s worth noting that former Sooner Jordan Evans is also a linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals, but Evans suffered a torn ACL in week five against the Green Bay Packers.

Here’s a look at the nine Sooners in action this weekend.

Several former Oklahoma Sooners heading to the NFL playoffs

With the NFL regular season wrapped up, which former Sooners are heading to the NFL playoffs?

Oklahoma DNA can be found all over the NFL these days. After fantastic seasons, several former Sooners will play in the postseason for their respective teams.

Former quarterbacks Kyler Murray and Jalen Hurts will lead their respective teams into the playoffs. Murray and the Arizona Cardinals go on the road to face the NFC West champion Los Angeles Rams. Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles travel to take on Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Facing off against Murray and fellow former Sooner Jordan Phillips will be former offensive lineman Bobby Evans.

Sticking with the NFC, CeeDee Lamb and the Dallas Cowboys will play host to Trent Williams and the San Francisco 49ers. Lamb capped a great second year in the league with 1,102 yards receiving, 79 receptions and six touchdowns for the Cowboys. He finished 12th in the league in receiving yards while leading a talented Dallas Cowboys wide receiver corps. Along with Lamb, Neville Gallimore will be making his first appearance in the playoffs.

Turning to the AFC, after finishing second in the NFL in rushing yards, Joe Mixon and the Cincinnati Bengals will host the Las Vegas Raiders in the wild-card round. Samaje Perine also plays for the Bengals. The Raiders pulled off an overtime win over the Los Angeles Chargers and Kenneth Murray’s squad to make it into the postseason.

Cody Ford and Daryl Williams will take on Rhamondre Stevenson as the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots are set for their first-round matchup.

Sticking with the AFC, the Kansas City Chiefs, with Orlando Brown, Creed Humphrey, Blake Bell and James Winchester, remain one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl this season. The team is led by Patrick Mahomes.

With six games this weekend, there are several opportunities to put on your Sooners gear and cheer your favorite former Sooners as they make their way through the NFL playoffs with the hopes of hoisting the Lombardi trophy.

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Chiefs LS James Winchester takes ride of a lifetime with Blue Angels

Watch #Chiefs LS James Winchester ride with the Blue Angels and explain how important the experience was to him in, “Leaving a Legacy.” | from @TheJohnDillon

After a lifetime of experience around the aviation community, Kansas City Chiefs long snapper James Winchester got to take the ride of a lifetime with the Blue Angels. The team shared a recorded short film featuring Winchester, celebrating the life of his late father. Titled “Leaving a Legacy,” the short film shows Winchester going up in a demonstration plane for a full flight experience with the naval aviators that looked like a dream come true.

He prefaced the experience by describing the time he had spent around airplanes growing up, going to events with his dad who worked with an airline for the better part of 30 years.

“Growing up going to air shows in Oklahoma City at Will Rogers World Airport, my dad worked for Southwest Airlines for 29 years, so I grew up with a fascination and a love for aviation,” Winchester said. “My dad loved the Blue Angels, loved the Thunderbirds, so I had a love for aviation and grew up watching dad work around Boeing 737s, and then [I was] obviously carted around at air shows.

“I had two dreams growing up in life, to play football and be a pilot. That’s kind of what I wanted to do. I think I’m slacking on one of those dreams, but I think the other one has worked out pretty well.”

While he won’t be turning in his cleats for a pilot helmet anytime soon after signing a two-year extension with the Chiefs, Winchester’s passion for the skies was hard to hide at altitude. Only a handful of people know the feeling of being in a high-performance fighter jet, and after an experience as unique as this, he is sure not to forget it.

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