Super Bowl bound
Former OU player Chris Chester is finally headed to the Super Bowl.
Gray hair springs from Chris Chester’s hair. Beard, too.
“Eleven years of (pro) football will do that to you,” Chester said.
Eleven years. Who can believe it? Who can believe that the longest NFL career of a Bob Stoops Sooner belongs to an offensive lineman who made just seven OU starts. Who is best known for being a backup tight end and catching a fake field goal touchdown at Missouri way back in 2002?
“Really, it’s one of the more unlikely stories and careers of maybe all our guys,” Stoops said.
And the story gets even better Sunday, when Chester makes his Super Bowl debut. The Atlanta Falcons’ right guard has played in 180 NFL games, including 11 playoff games, and made 143 starts, including 106 straight.
And now comes the Super Bowl against the Patriots.
“It’s awesome,” Chester said. “I’ve been around and played a long time, and to be a part of this, I think it’s really cool.
“It’s a blessing. I’m so honored and humbled to be a part of this great group of men. I can’t say enough good things about my experience here in Atlanta. Just great guys across the board. Great team. I’m really humbled.”
The only other Stoops player with doubledigit NFL seasons is Adrian Peterson, who has 10 years and counting. Amazing career for Chester, considering he never started until his
fifth year on campus. Chester was a backup tight end, used for blocking purposes, from 200104, when he battled injuries. Then Stoops’ staff made a move that changed Chester’s life. He was switched to offensive line, playing both guard and center for the ’05 Sooners.
“Ultimately, we thought that would be his best position,” Stoops said, citing Chester’s toughness. “One of the more reliable, accountable and hardworking guys for us. If anyone can do it, it’s a guy like him. He found his niche.”
NFL scouts took notice, despite the limited video of Chester. He was picked by the Baltimore Ravens in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft. Chester spent five years with the Ravens, making 47 starts, then signed with Washington and started every game from 201114.
When the Redskins released Chester in the 2015 offseason, he wasn’t sure he wanted to keep playing.
“You get worn down,” Chester said. “Every joint aches in some capacity. Your feet hurt when you get out of bed in the morning.”
But Atlanta called, and Chester said he found the best football experience of his life.
“Just like nothing I’ve ever been a part of,” Chester said. “Big part of the reason I came back this year. It worked out pretty well.”
The Falcons have the NFL’s best offense and the presumptive MVP in quarterback Matt Ryan.
“It’s been really awesome,” Chester said. Center Alex Mack joined the Falcons as a free agent from Cleveland, and “he’s a high-character guy and a smart guy, obviously a great player and he fit right in. You know, I had some experience with (left guard) Andy Levitre last year and I knew what he’s about and that’s playing at a high level. I think us three inside, we kind of push and help each other to really be on our game because we know between us three most of the communication, and the communication first and foremost, kind of starts with us.”
Chester keeps telling his Atlanta pals about that touchdown catch at Mizzou. They don’t believe him, not yet anyway, and he might not have much longer to convince them. Chester knows that at 34, his football days are numbered.
“It’s towards the end,” Chester said. “Don’t know if it’s going to be this year or next year. I’m getting to the twilight of my career, for sure.
“I had no idea I’d still be out here playing. I’m very fortunate to have played this long. I don’t’ ever take that for granted.
Each year it was like a year to year thing. I kind of find myself in Year 11, I look back, wow, it’s amazing. Great players, great teams, some awesome experiences.”
And finally, that fake field goal more than 14 years ago gets trumped by a Super Bowl.