Welcome to the latest weekly review of “Latinos around the NFL” for the 2023 season.
It has been an interesting campaign, full of players who enjoyed excellent streaks, who had impressive downturns, who were released, who were re-signed, who suffered injuries, who retired, who came out of retirement, who had legal problems.
As a preview of Super Bowl LVIII, we offered you a profile on each of the three Latinos who would participate in the game as starters in what would turn out to be the victory of the Kansas City Chiefs over the San Francisco 49ers, 25-22, the Sunday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
This is the series, “Latinos in Super Bowl LVIII”, in case you missed it:
Players on active roster:
Players on practice squad:
And now we conclude our task of closely following the 2023 season of the Latinos on the gridiron, week by week.
Latinos in the NFL 2023: Draft | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11 | Week 12 | Week 13 | Week 14 | Week 15 | Week 16 | Week 17 | Week 18 | Wild Card Round | Divisional Round | Conference Finals | Super Bowl LVIII
Latinos in the NFL 2022: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11 | Week 12 | Week 13 | Week 14 | Week 15 | Week 16 | Week 17 | Week 18 | Wild Card Round | Divisional Round | Conference Finals | Super Bowl LVII
Super Bowl LVIII Latin star: Isiah Pacheco (KC)
Angry runs?! WE KNOW A GUY. pic.twitter.com/D3Z9pLjfFw
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) February 11, 2024
Second-year running back Isiah Pacheco is now a two-time NFL champion. Two seasons, two Lombardi trophies. More than impressive, considering that there are players who don’t even reach the Super Bowl once in their career, much less win at least one championship.
A year ago, in Super Bowl LVII, in his rookie year against the Philadelphia Eagles, Pacheco scored a touchdown. However, this time he could not contribute in the same way. A great game was expected, given the weaknesses of the Niners’ defense against the run.
However, early in the second quarter, he suffered a crucial fumble in the red zone that led to a turnover for the 49ers. This happened right after a spectacular pass from quarterback Patrick Mahomes to wide receiver Mecole Hardman for a 52-yard gain, putting Kansas City within scoring distance. But cornerback Deommodore Lenoir knocked the ball out of Pacheco’s hands and defensive lineman Javon Hargrave recovered it.
Isiah Pacheco #10 of the Kansas City Chiefs fumbles in the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers during Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Harry How/Getty Images
That play was what led to Travis Kelce’s now-famous tantrum on the sidelines directed at head coach Andy Reid, because he wanted to be in the game.
Unlike the poor treatment shown by the star tight end, Pacheco returned to the bench after that fumble, and apologized to all the teammates there.
Ultimately, Pacheco had 18 carries for 59 yards, and 6 receptions for 33 yards, with one turnover. The interesting thing is that he had only had one fumble in the entire regular season, and the 49ers’ defense forced his only fumble in the postseason in the Super Bowl, the worst possible moment for the player of Caribbean blood.
Pacheco participated in 58 offensive plays, 73% of the team’s offensive snaps, en route to Kansas City’s dramatic victory with that touchdown in the final seconds of overtime.
After the victory, interviewed by ESPN’s John Sutcliffe, Pacheco commented that he still has unfinished business, despite winning two Super Bowls in two seasons. “Last year was unsatisfactory. This year may be a little satisfactory, but deep down, I know we have another one on the way,” he explained.
As for how he was able to overcome the lost ball in this important event, the Puerto Rican gives credit to his teammates, “Having my teammates behind me.”
He also alluded to the problems they had to overcome throughout the year, including offensive deficiencies (except for him, who was excellent and consistent) and injuries — he dealt with shoulder, foot, ankle injuries and even a concussion. “We go through adversity all year long. We lift each other up. That’s what it takes. Eliminate distractions. Focus on ourselves.”
Isiah Pacheco #10 of the Kansas City Chiefs poses with the Puerto Rican flag and the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the victory in Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada . Ryan Kang/Getty Images
Pacheco carried the flag of Puerto Rico, his father’s land, on his shoulders. He dedicated the victory to his father and his people, “Having my father here, knowing that we are supporting our country. I stand for New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the whole world.”
Pacheco lovingly hugged his father on the field at Allegiant Stadium. Mr. Julio Pacheco was filled with pride when talking about his son, a key piece of the champions Chiefs, “Very proud, happy. You know, we are here, the second time, incredible.”
Not so incredible, actually. With talent like Pacheco, Kelce and Mahomes… that’s why they are a dynasty.
How Latinos played in Super Bowl LVIII
Marquee matchup in Las Vegas.#SBLVIII pic.twitter.com/bdJy7QK8HS
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) February 11, 2024
San Francisco 49ers middle linebacker Fred Warner recorded 13 total tackles, 9 solo tackles, and 4 assists en route to his team’s Super Bowl loss. He played a total of 79 defensive snaps, or 100%; Furthermore, he participated in 6 special teams snaps, just 18%.
Editorial Selections
2 Related
After the 49ers’ Super Bowl loss, Warner reflected at the microphone: “Super Bowls are not given, they are taken. Kansas City took this one. We’ll come back next year, start from scratch and try to come back. He was proud of the way we were playing. … But it’s not about how you start; it’s about how you finish.”
Additionally, Warner praised Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, now a three-time champion in the past five years, as “a great player” who “knows situations. He knows when to throw (the ball) and when to run with it.”
Above all, the player of Mexican and Panamanian descent feels great disappointment in the performance of the San Francisco defense. As the leader of that defense, it is evident that he feels a great deal of responsibility on his shoulders, particularly in the SB.
Even so, despite the defeat, what a sensational performance the Niners have in 2023 to reach this stage for the second time in four years.
Jon Feliciano of the 49ers reacts after losing to the Chiefs 25-22 in overtime in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Feliciano injured his arm late in the third quarter. Steph Chambers/Getty Images
Puerto Rican Jon Feliciano, who is the starting right guard for the 49ers, could not finish the game. He suffered an injury with just over two minutes left in the third quarter. He went down after a first-and-10 scheme as quarterback Brock Purdy attempted to pass the ball to Brandon Aiyuk.
Feliciano was rushed to the blue medical tent to be examined, and Spencer Burford replaced him. By the fourth quarter, Feliciano was not on the field, and was seen on the bench without a helmet.
The nine-year veteran, who turned 32 on Saturday, played 31 offensive snaps (41%) for the Niners and two special teams snaps (6%) before leaving the game.
The exact degree or nature of the injury is not known, but Feliciano was seen holding his right arm when he got up, after the impact and after having been lying on the ground for a short time. At the end of the match, the Puerto Rican was wearing a support or splint on his right forearm.
The big question now that his one-year contract is up is whether the Niners will offer him another deal after the great work he did this past season and if this time they will pay him a salary higher than the $2.25 million they paid him in 2023.
POSJugadorEquipoActuaciónCJon FelicianoSF31snaps ofen., 41%, 2snaps eq.esp., 6%RBIsiah PachecoKC18ACA, 59yds, 6REC, 33yds, 1Fumble, 58snaps ofen., 73%LBFred WarnerSF13comb, 9solo, 4ast, 79snaps def., 100%, 6snaps eq.esp., 18%
Latinos on Practice Squads at Super Bowl LVIII
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The Super Bowl, a dream come true for Alfredo Gutiérrez
The Mexican 49ers player talks about the experience of being in the NFL title game and the role his parents played in getting him to the NFL.
Each year, players on the losing Super Bowl team, including practice squad players, receive a bonus. For Super Bowl LVIII, that bonus for each of the San Francisco 49ers players is $89,000. There are three Latinos on San Francisco’s practice squad: Mexican OT Alfredo Gutiérrez and Mexican-American OT Sebastian Gutiérrez and DE Alex Barrett. !! Congratulations!!
Of course, who wouldn’t have preferred to take home the $164,000 that each of the players on the winning team, the Kansas City Chiefs, will receive, and in the process be able to call themselves Super Bowl champions?
POSPlayerTeamDEAlex BarrettSFOTAlfredo GutiérrezSFOTSebastián GutiérrezSF
2024-02-13 00:00:00
#Latinos #NFL #Super #Bowl #LVII
