Two rookies who attended historically black colleges helped the Kansas City Chiefs reach the Super Bowl.

By Steven J. Gaither

The Kansas City Chiefs are returning to the Super Bowl, and a pair of rookies from historically black colleges helped them get there.

Late in the fourth quarter, with the AFC Championship Game knotted at 20, Chiefs rookie defensive back Bryan Cook tipped a Joe Burrow ball that fell into the hands of Joshua Williams. The interception ended a possible game-winning score drive for the Bills and gave the ball back to the Chiefs.

The Chiefs did not score on that drive, but they went on to win the game on a 46-yard field goal by Harrison Butker after a late hit on quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

With three seconds remaining, the Chiefs led 23-20. The Bengals recovered the subsequent kickoff with little time remaining, and Williams made the game-ending tackle.

The Kansas City Chiefs are back in the Super Bowl. Cook and Joshua Williams will be making their first trip.

Cook’s career began at Howard University and ended at the University of Cincinnati. Over two seasons, he has 93 tackles, five tackles for loss, and five interceptions. After transferring, he was selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. During the regular season, he had 21 tackles and a sack.

Williams was picked in the fourth round in 2022, making him the highest-drafted HBCU athlete. He did so following a great career at Fayetteville State, where he contributed to four consecutive CIAA Southern Division titles. Williams recorded 27 tackles and one interception as a part-time starter in 2022.

Both guys will now travel to the Super Bowl, where the Kansas City Chiefs will face the Philadelphia Eagles on Feb. 12.