KANSAS CITY, Mo. (NEWS3) — Former Western Illinois University football star Khalen Saunders will have the opportunity to do what all players hope to achieve in the NFL.
Saunders will compete in Super Bowl LIV when the Kansas City Chiefs take on the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Feb. 2, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Saunders took to social media with his celebration Sunday following the Chiefs’ 35-24 win over the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship Game. He posted to Facebook, “Loved meeting Mr. Hunt’s trophy, but I’m trying to see that Lombardi now. Super Bowl bound.” Then on Monday, he said, “Woke up feeling like I still got something to prove. We ain’t done. Victory Monday.”
Saunders, a defensive tackle for the Chiefs, was drafted in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft.
He made his debut Week 4 against the Indianapolis Colts. Saunders has appeared in all 14 games since and started four. He has 24 total tackles, one sack and a pass deflection.
From 2015 to 2018, Saunders was a disruptive force along the defensive line at WIU. He recorded 204 total tackles (34.5 for loss) and 18 sacks in 47 games.
