LAS VEGAS – Two seasons in the NFL, two Super Bowl titles for George Karlaftis. The Pro Boiler made an immediate impact in Super Bowl LVIII, recovering a fumble on the game's opening drive to help the Kansas City Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in overtime.
While the Chiefs were the first team in two decades to win back-to-back Super Bowls, Karlaftis became the 10th Boilermaker to win multiple Super Bowl titles, joining a prestigious list. Keena Turner was a four-time Super Bowl champion with the San Francisco 49ers, Matt Light and Rob Ninkovich were three-time Super Bowl winners on the New England Patriots, while the following Boilermakers won a pair of Super Bowls: Dave Butz, Rosevelt Colvin, Tim Foley, Brandon Gorin, Bob Griese, Gene Mruczkowski and now Karlaftis.
A Boilermaker has been on the Super Bowl-winning team 18 of the past 25 years, including three straight seasons. Along with Karlaftis going back-to-back with the Chiefs, Brycen Hopkins won Super Bowl LVI with the Los Angeles Rams.
Karlaftis recorded five tackles with a half sack and a fumble recovery in Super Bowl LVIII. He closed out a strong playoff run that featured 19 tackles, 3.0 sacks and two fumble recoveries over four games.
During the regular season, "Furious George" made 10.5 sacks to tie for a team best and rank 16th in the league. He added 45 tackles, including 7.0 tackles-for-loss, to help the Chiefs win the AFC West for the eighth straight year.
After the Chiefs selected the Boilermaker as the 30th overall pick in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Karlaftis ranked third among rookies in sacks with 6.0 on the year and was named to the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA) All-Rookie team. He wrapped up his first year in the NFL by helping the Chiefs defeat the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 in Super Bowl LVII. Karlaftis made NFL history by becoming the first Greek born player to win a Super Bowl.
Playing in 27 games over his Purdue career, Karlaftis earned All-Big Ten honors following all three seasons as a Boilermaker. He was a second team honoree as a freshman and sophomore before becoming a consensus first team selection during his junior campaign. During the 2021 season, his final one wearing the Old Gold and Black, the Karlaftis earned First Team All-America accolades from the AFCA to go along with second team honors from a variety of outlets. He is now one of four members in the Den of Defensive Ends that have won at least two Super Bowls.
Back. To. Back. @TheGK3 has only ever been a champion. Congrats GK! pic.twitter.com/Ks4vSDMIdO
— Purdue Football (@BoilerFootball) February 12, 2024
While the Chiefs were the first team in two decades to win back-to-back Super Bowls, Karlaftis became the 10th Boilermaker to win multiple Super Bowl titles, joining a prestigious list. Keena Turner was a four-time Super Bowl champion with the San Francisco 49ers, Matt Light and Rob Ninkovich were three-time Super Bowl winners on the New England Patriots, while the following Boilermakers won a pair of Super Bowls: Dave Butz, Rosevelt Colvin, Tim Foley, Brandon Gorin, Bob Griese, Gene Mruczkowski and now Karlaftis.
A Boilermaker has been on the Super Bowl-winning team 18 of the past 25 years, including three straight seasons. Along with Karlaftis going back-to-back with the Chiefs, Brycen Hopkins won Super Bowl LVI with the Los Angeles Rams.
GK Big Z
— Purdue Football (@BoilerFootball) February 11, 2024
🤝
Diving for loose balls
pic.twitter.com/l9tC0rTeUN
Karlaftis recorded five tackles with a half sack and a fumble recovery in Super Bowl LVIII. He closed out a strong playoff run that featured 19 tackles, 3.0 sacks and two fumble recoveries over four games.
George Karlaftis led the Chiefs in QB pressures (19) and sacks (4) in the playoffs 📈 pic.twitter.com/gpBhMx6quD
— PFF KC Chiefs (@PFF_Chiefs) February 13, 2024
During the regular season, "Furious George" made 10.5 sacks to tie for a team best and rank 16th in the league. He added 45 tackles, including 7.0 tackles-for-loss, to help the Chiefs win the AFC West for the eighth straight year.
Isiah Pacheco: 1st starting RB to win 2 Super Bowls in first 2 seasons
— NFL (@NFL) February 12, 2024
George Karlaftis: 1st starting DL to win 2 Super Bowls in first 2 seasons
Trent McDuffie: 3rd starting CB to win 2 Super Bowls in first 2 seasons
(h/t @NFLResearch) pic.twitter.com/7miHeN6HmE
After the Chiefs selected the Boilermaker as the 30th overall pick in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Karlaftis ranked third among rookies in sacks with 6.0 on the year and was named to the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA) All-Rookie team. He wrapped up his first year in the NFL by helping the Chiefs defeat the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 in Super Bowl LVII. Karlaftis made NFL history by becoming the first Greek born player to win a Super Bowl.
Playing in 27 games over his Purdue career, Karlaftis earned All-Big Ten honors following all three seasons as a Boilermaker. He was a second team honoree as a freshman and sophomore before becoming a consensus first team selection during his junior campaign. During the 2021 season, his final one wearing the Old Gold and Black, the Karlaftis earned First Team All-America accolades from the AFCA to go along with second team honors from a variety of outlets. He is now one of four members in the Den of Defensive Ends that have won at least two Super Bowls.