Chiefs’ Charles Omenihu, Bryan Cook amped for Super Bowl 2025 chance
NEW ORLEANS — For two teammates who will be making tackles Sunday for the Chiefs, Super Bowl 2025 is the end of a one-year wait.
Defensive tackle Charles Omenihu (torn ACL) and safety Bryan Cook (severe ankle sprain) both watched helplessly from the press box in Las Vegas last year as they recovered from the injuries that kept them out of the Chiefs’ overtime victory against the 49ers.
“It’s going to be extremely special to take it all in once I’m actually there,” Omenihu said. “I’ve been staying even-keeled. That’s the best thing for me, but definitely the excitement is going to start picking up. I’m glad I have the opportunity to play on the biggest stage.”
Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Charles Omenihu (90) celebrates after the AFC Championship NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. AP
Omenihu played in no Super Bowls until now, but four straight conference championship games — he lost two with the 49ers before joining the Chiefs. He tore his ACL against the Ravens, so last year’s Super Bowl was the first of the 11 games that he missed, including the first 10 of this season.
Since 1999, just Ray Lewis and Robert Mathis have more career forced fumbles in the playoffs than Omenihu’s four.
“Finally!” an emotional Omenihu shouted on the Chiefs sideline two weeks ago as his offensive teammates wrapped up a win against the Bills. “I get to play in the Super Bowl! Yes!”
Cook, a second-round draft pick in 2022, knows nothing but seasons that end in Super Bowls.
He was a rookie core special teams player and extra defensive back when the Chiefs beat the Eagles in the 2023 Super Bowl.
Two years and one sidelined Super Bowl win later, Cook is a 17-game starter who tallied two interceptions during the regular season.
Bryan Cook #6 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates as he leaves the field after the game against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field on December 15, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. Getty Images
Only this appearance is a little extra special than his first because he overcame tightrope surgery in his ankle, gained more trust from his teammates with his seasoning, and learned plays that defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo likes to save for playoff runs.
“Can’t hold me down,” Cook said. “A lot of people don’t know this, but I had that same injury in college, so I was more devastated about the process that I had to go through to get back to where I wanted to be.
“The first time I had it done, I wasn’t that confident because I didn’t feel comfortable in the brace and in my pedal — opening up [to run]. This time, eventually, I was like, ‘This is what it is. I can’t change it.’ Watching my guys still accomplish their goal flooded all that away from me.”
Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Denver. AP
Cook feels “blessed” to begin his NFL career with a shot at becoming one of the select members of all three teams in the NFL’s first Super Bowl three-peat. If the Chiefs win again, of course.
“Not only to be back here,” Cook said, “but we have an opportunity to stamp our names in history. And I’m here to do that.”
