Leading up to Super Bowl LVIII, the spotlight wasn’t on Kansas City Chiefs backup offensive guard Nick Allegretti. Yet, little did we know, he was destined to become a beacon of heroism for the Chiefs.
Allegretti’s moment came unexpectedly. When starting left guard Joe Thuney sustained a pectoral injury during Kansas City’s Divisional Round victory over the Buffalo Bills, Allegretti was thrust into the limelight.
Thuney’s absence persisted into the AFC Championship Game, and though there was optimism he’d return for the Super Bowl, that hope was dashed when he was ruled out late last week.
With the weight of the Super Bowl on his shoulders, Allegretti, who had already started in the AFC Championship Game against the Baltimore Ravens, was once again called upon to step up.
In the showdown against the San Francisco 49ers, he answered the call with unwavering resolve, playing every one of the 79 snaps. Remarkably, according to Pro Football Focus, he yielded just one sack.
#Chiefs guard Nick Allegretti, who started Super Bowl LVIII in place All-Pro Joe Thuney, played all 79 snaps despite suffering a torn UCL in his elbow in the second quarter, per source.
An MRI today revealed the full tear. Few are tougher than Allegretti, now a three-time champ. pic.twitter.com/Y4CZYgDWy8
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 13, 2024
However, what truly elevated Allegretti’s performance to legendary status was revealed in a tweet:
“#Chiefs guard Nick Allegretti, who started Super Bowl LVIII in place of All-Pro Joe Thuney, played all 79 snaps despite suffering a torn UCL in his elbow in the second quarter, per source.
An MRI today revealed the full tear. Few are tougher than Allegretti, now a three-time champ.”
Despite enduring the excruciating pain of a torn UCL early in the game, Allegretti demonstrated unparalleled grit. Not only did he soldier on until the final whistle, but he also did not miss a single snap.
Truly, his actions epitomized heroism on the grandest stage of football.
