Browns QB Kenny Pickett reflects on playing late in Super Bowl LIX
Former first-round pick Kenny Pickett grew up in Ocean Township, New Jersey, spending much of his childhood as a Philadelphia Eagles fan. He idolized Donovan McNabb, who led the Eagles to five NFC Championship Games and played in Super Bowl XXXIX.
Twenty years later, Kenny Pickett appeared in his first career Super Bowl while playing for his hometown team. With the Eagles firmly in control of Super Bowl LIX against the Kansas City Chiefs, Head Coach Nick Sirianni pulled quarterback Jalen Hurts and the starters, allowing the reserves to get some playing time.
Pickett played in seven offensive snaps, kneeling out the game in victory formation.
'It was awesome," Pickett said about the experience. 'The five-year-old in me would have been going crazy back in the day. I remember watching Donovan McNabb, all those old days when he was making his runs. Being able to be a part of that team was awesome. And having my parents there — my family, my wife — it was really cool.'
Pickett was an integral part of the Eagles' Super Bowl run, starting in the Week 17 contest against the Dallas Cowboys while Hurts was in concussion protocol. He finished the game 10/15 for 143 yards and two touchdowns, clinching the NFC East crown in the process. Pickett reportedly played through broken ribs and took multiple painkilling injections to help his team.
The Eagles traded Pickett to the Browns this offseason, clearing the way for Tanner McKee to be their No. 2 quarterback. Although he's now in Cleveland, Pickett got to live out his NFL dream and can now call himself a Super Bowl champion.
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