In their Super Bowl matchup, the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs had multiple connections on the field with different players who have suited up for both sides during their career.
Charvarious Ward, Jerick McKinnon and Richie James all have walked the sidelines of both the 49ers and the Chiefs. Yet, one former member of the 49ers who now plays for the Chiefs wasn’t able to play in the Super Bowl due to an injury.
Former 49ers defensive end turned Kansas City Chief, Charles Omenihu, missed the Super Bowl with an ACL injury. On Tuesday, Omenihu spoke about missing the Super Bowl against his former team in an interview with Kay Adams on the Up And Adams Show.
I think pregame was the worst — pregame and kickoff. Just seeing everybody warming up. I could feel the atmosphere of being at the Super Bowl. But then you’re on the sideline with nothing around. That was the worst of it all. I was just telling myself ‘hopefully you will be back here and playing.’
It wasn’t good. It wasn’t a good feeling at all. I wanted to play so bad. Especially being my former team last year. I felt like this was my opportunity to show y’all like ‘you didn’t want to pay me.’ Y’all let me go. This is kinda like my opportunity to show y’all that was a horrible decision. And the fact that I wasn’t able to do that against them. I have got over it now, but at that time it very much ate at me.
I saw our schedule came out though and we do have them on the schedule next year. I’m hoping it’s around the time I will be back. I really really want to be available for that game.
Via @UpAndAdamsShow on Twitter:
"I wanted to play so bad, especially being my former team out there. I felt a way… (49ers) didn't wanna pay me, you let me go."#Chiefs DE Charles Omenihu on not being able to play in SB LVIII vs. his former team the #49ers @charless_94 @heykayadams #ChiefsKingdom
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) April 2, 2024
Omenihu played 11 games with the Chiefs lasts season, racking up 28 tackles and a career-best seven sacks. The former Texas Longhorn played the 2022 season with the 49ers before joining the Chiefs.
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