As two N.J. natives prepare to call Super Bowl LVII for FOX Sports, another pair of Garden State locals are gearing up to play in the big game, searching for victory on the biggest stage in sports. This year’s big game is going down at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Rutgers alumni Michael Burton and Isiah Pacheco will join Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs to take on Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Feb. 12. Game time is 6:30 p.m. Watching the Super Bowl is a time-honored tradition no matter what teams are playing, with 75% of people surveyed saying they’re planning to tune in. If you’re stepping out to catch the game on a big screen, there are plenty of bars and restaurants in the Meadowlands area with specials on tap. READ MORE
Burton, a Long Valley native who set 10 records playing football at West Morris High School, is in his second season as a fullback with the Kansas City Chiefs. He was picked up by the Chiefs in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. This is the first Super Bowl for the eight-year NFL veteran.
Rookie running back Pacheco, who grew up in Vineland, was the Chiefs leader in rushing yards this year and played a vital role in their 27-20 victory against the Jaguars, helping propel them to the AFC Conference Championship and now the Super Bowl. He accumulated 2,691 yards from scrimmage and 19 touchdowns during his four years at Rutgers and was drafted by the Chiefs in the 7th round of the 2022 NFL Draft
Calling the game for FOX Sports will be William Paterson graduate Kevin Burkhardt and Carolina Panthers great and Wayne native Greg Olsen. Olsen was a standout player for Wayne Hills High School and was one of the highest ranked players in the state, including a Gatorade Player of the Year finalist.
