Talk about America’s game: The combined rosters of the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs, who will compete Sunday in Super Bowl 58, represent 70% of U.S. states and four countries.
From starters to members of their practice squads to those on injured reserve, the two rosters feature 158 players from 35 states. Neither team’s locker room is filled solely with players east or west of the Mississippi River. But the map below suggests a bit of an East Coast bias for the Chiefs and West Coast for the 49ers.
Consider California’s representation. It has 17 players — the most of any state – across the two rosters. The 49ers’ roster, though, includes 14 of those players — also the most for either team in one state.
On the other side of the country, nine players from Georgia populate the Chiefs’ roster. Florida is a close second with eight.
Mapping the hometowns of every Super Bowl 58 teams’ players
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A closer look at players’ hometown connections
Beyond common states, several players share local geographic connections whether they grew up in the San Francisco area or Kanas City, or just hail from a single U.S. city.
San Francisco: The 49ers’ Aaron Banks, Corey Luciano, Jack Tonges and Jason Verrett are from the Bay Area. Luciano said Thursday at a media availability that he started watching football at 13 and became a 49ers fan. Conversely, Banks is part of a line of 49er fans: “My dad was born into it. I did not have a choice at all.”
Defensive tackle Matt Dickerson is the only Chiefs player from the Bay Area. He also grew up a 49ers fan. “I went to Candlestick (Park) since I was a little kid,” he said Thursday. “I wouldn’t want to be playing any other team.”
Kansas City is represented by a rookie from each team. The Chiefs’ Felix Anudike-Uzomah attended Kansas State while the 49ers Ronnie Bell played for Michigan. Bell said his family cheers on the Chiefs, but he grew up more of a Ravens fan because of safety Ed Reed.
Detroit boasts six players, the most of any city. Mobile, Alabama, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, can each claim three players between the two Super Bowl rosters.
Which schools are the most represented on the team’s rosters
The University of Oklahoma has the most players of any school on a Super Bowl 58 team’s roster with six players. Clemson, Florida and Georgia each have five players while Michigan, Texas Christian, Southern California and Middle Tennessee State each have four.
The two rosters are loaded with young players: 88 have no more than three years of experience. Only 58 players have at least seven years of experience. The 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams is the most experienced at 14 years in the NFL.
