Eastern Michigan Athletics
Andrew Wylie Readies for Third Appearance in the Super Bowl
2/10/2023 11:30:00 AM | Football
Story written by freelance writer Art Brooks
GLENDALE, Ariz. (EMUEagles.com) -- Andrew Wylie, Kansas City starting right offensive tackle and former Eastern Michigan University lineman, will be in his third Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 12, in Glendale, Ariz., against Philadelphia.
He was injured (high ankle sprain) and sat out the Chiefs' 31-20 win against San Francisco in 2020 at Super Bowl LIV. His other Super Bowl was a 31-9 loss in 2021 to Tampa Bay in which Wylie took part.
Wylie, who played at Midland High School, is in his fifth season with Kansas City. He's 28 and checks in at 6-foot-5 and 304 pounds.
It's no surprise he is raring to go
Here's what he told Fred Kelly of the Midland Daily News this week:
“Every time you have the opportunity to compete at the highest level, it feels more special than the last time, but this one feels even more special (to me). And we still have a bad taste in our mouths from the last time,” he said. “I’m super appreciative to have the opportunity to actually compete and have a chance to get another ring.”
Kelly continued:
Wylie, who previously played right guard for the Chiefs for multiple seasons, said he has enjoyed making the move to right tackle and protecting quarterback Patrick Mahomes from edge rushers.
“I welcomed the opportunity. I like to pride myself on being able to play anywhere on the offensive line,” he said. “It’s been a fun experience, and it’s one that needed to happen for me to keep a job in the NFL. I really welcomed the opportunity and studied the craft and watched a lot of film and used a lot of knowledge.
“I truly enjoyed the opportunity to make the switch, and I’m having so much fun out there right now,” he said.
Kelly asked Wylie about his entire Super Bowl experience.
Wylie said, “I think it’s just having the opportunity to truly play at the highest level of football on the biggest stage in the whole sport. It’s incredible. There are a lot of things going on during the entire week (leading up to the game), and I know my family is big into the halftime shows, but I truly just enjoy the fact that I get to compete at the highest level on the biggest stage.”
As for Wylie's least favorite part, he told Kelly:
“There’s a lot on the agenda every time you go down there (to a Super Bowl), and there’s so much media. To constantly have to be on your game and locked in and having that much focus the entire time can be challenging,” he admitted, adding of the week-long distractions," … It can get out of control pretty quick.”
Art Brooks is a retired Detroit News sports copy editor and longtime volunteer at EMU's student newspaper, the Eastern Echo.
Andrew Wylie, the Kansas City Chiefs' starting right offensive tackle for Sunday's Super Bowl against Philadelphia, not surprisingly has a big fan club in Midland.
Check out what Midland High football coach Eric Methner said about his former Chemic:
"Andrew transferred to Midland High as a sophomore. He was a three-year starter for us at left tackle. He was extremely athletic for a player his size. He played basketball and threw the shot and discus at MHS as well. Andrew was a fun kid to be around. He had great relationships with his teammates and coaches. Andrew got along with everyone.
"He was a hard worker in the classroom and weight room as well. The Midland community is extremely proud of Andrew's accomplishments during his NFL career. I will be rooting for him and the Chiefs on Sunday in the Super Bowl. I'm very excited for Andrew and his family!"
Bad day
From Dave Skretta of the Associated Press, after the AFC championship game ... Wylie had some brutal moments against the Bengals. His holding penalty brought back a touchdown run by Isiah Pacheco and forced Kansas City to kick a field goal. Later, Wylie was called for unsportsmanlike conduct for taunting, and Patrick Mahomes fumbled three plays later to set up a tying touchdown by Cincinnati early in the fourth quarter.
Creighton's beaming
EMU Head Coach Chris Creighton: "A career of dreams come true continues for Andrew Wylie, and the entire Eastern Michigan Football family is thrilled that one of our own has another chance to compete at the highest level of our game. From his time here at EMU through today, Andrew continues to show that hard work, dedication, and passion prevails in this sport. He has taken on every challenge head-on, and it has paid off. We are all excited to root for Andrew in another Super Bowl this season."
An appreciated man
From Arrowhead Pride: Kansas City offensive line coach Andy Heck values Wylie for his versatility.
“Even before this year, he stepped in and started a bunch of games for us at left guard, at right guard, tackle [and] so on,” he said during the regular season. “Then this year -- same thing. He’s been ready to go at any one of those positions. We needed him at tackle -- and then he stepped in.”
But for Heck, the praise doesn’t stop there.
“The other thing that Andrew brings -- really -- is an energy, a toughness. He’s a tough kid that loves football. He’s absolutely essential to what we’re doing here. Those kinds of unheralded guys that do the dirty work like that? That’s what it’s all about.”
From the press box
Herbie Teope, the Kansas City Star's Chiefs beat man, wrote: Wylie returned on a one-year deal with an opportunity to play just tackle. He did a commendable job at right tackle this season, posting a career-high 17 starts in a single season (previous high was in 2020 when he started at right guard). Whether he returns during the offseason is unclear at this point, but his body of work the past season should help get him paid if he signs elsewhere. He’s also a proven versatile offensive lineman, can play guard and tackle.
Extra points
Wylie was undrafted out of Eastern Michigan in 2017 and had practice squad stops with the Colts, Chargers and Browns but never played. Wylie was on Kansas City's practice squad before being promoted. Baltimore signed him and released him after the draft.
The Eagles would not say who Wylie would be matched against: "We would not provide info like that publicly about game plans or strategies or anything like that."
Wylie's appearance in Super Bowl LVII will mark the 19th time that a former EMU player will compete in the NFL's biggest game.
EMU's Super Bowl Champions (13)
Reggie Garrett - Steelers - 1974 (Super Bowl IX)
Reggie Garrett - Steelers - 1974 (Super Bowl X)
John Banaszak - Steelers - 1975 (Super Bowl X)
John Banaszak - Steelers - 1978 (Super Bowl XIII)
Ron Johnson - Steelers - 1978 (Super Bowl XIII)
John Banaszak - Steelers - 1979 (Super Bowl XIV)
Ron Johnson - Steelers - 1979 (Super Bowl XIV)
Lional Dalton - Ravens - 2001 (Super Bowl XXXV)
Charlie Batch - Steelers - 2005 (Super Bowl XL)
Charlie Batch - Steelers - 2008 (Super Bowl XLIII)
TJ Lang - Packers - 2010 (Super Bowl XLV)
Andrew Wylie - Chiefs - 2020 (Super Bowl LIV)
Patrick O'Connor – Buccaneers – 2021 (Super Bowl LV)
EMU's Super Bowl Appearances (19)
Reggie Garrett - Steelers - 1974 (Super Bowl IX)
Reggie Garrett - Steelers - 1974 (Super Bowl X)
Dave Boone - Vikings - 1974 (Super Bowl IX)
John Banaszak - Steelers - 1975 (Super Bowl X)
John Banaszak - Steelers - 1978 (Super Bowl XIII)
Ron Johnson - Steelers - 1978 (Super Bowl XIII)
John Banaszak - Steelers - 1979 (Super Bowl XIV)
Ron Johnson - Steelers - 1979 (Super Bowl XIV)
Clarence Chapman - Bengals - 1981 (Super Bowl XVI)
Lional Dalton - Ravens - 2001 (Super Bowl XXXV)
Jason Short - Eagles - 2004 (Super Bowl XXXIX)
Charlie Batch - Steelers - 2005 (Super Bowl XL)
Charlie Batch - Steelers - 2008 (Super Bowl XLIII)
TJ Lang - Packers - 2010 (Super Bowl XLV)
Charlie Batch - Steelers - 2010 (Super Bowl XLV)
Andrew Wylie - Chiefs - 2020 (Super Bowl LIV)
Andrew Wylie - Chiefs - 2021 (Super Bowl LV)
Patrick O'Connor – Buccaneers - 2021 (Super Bowl LV)
Andrew Wylie – Chiefs – 2023 (Super Bowl LVII)
