Six Independence Bowl Alumni Headed to Super Bowl LVIII

SHREVEPORT, La. (Feb. 6, 2024) – When the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers hit the field in Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas this Sunday, February 11, six players who have played in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl will run out the tunnel on the biggest stage in sports.

The Chiefs feature four Independence Bowl alumni players – starting defensive back L’Jarius Sneed (Louisiana Tech, 2019), tight end Noah Gray (Duke, 2018), defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi (Florida State, 2017) and safety Deon Bush (Miami, 2014). The 49ers have two former Independence Bowl players on their roster – starting offensive guard Jon Feliciano (Miami, 2014) and linebacker Oren Burks (Vanderbilt, 2016).

A few starred during the regular season and made critical plays en route to the Super Bowl. Sneed made possibly the biggest play of the AFC Championship Game on Sunday, as he forced Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers to fumble on the one-yard line in the fourth quarter while leading by 10. Feliciano played well all season – ranking in the top 10 of all NFL guards by Pro Football Focus (PFF).

The Chiefs also have three coaches who all coached in the 1988 Independence Bowl for UTEP. Legendary head coach Andy Reid was the UTEP offensive line coach, while special teams coordinator Dave Toub and outside linebackers coach Ken Flajole were also on staff at UTEP with Reid.

ABOUT THE RADIANCE TECHNOLOGIES INDEPENDENCE BOWL™

Established in 1976, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl™ is college football’s 11th most-historic bowl game and celebrated its 47th edition on Saturday, December 16, 2023. The Texas Tech Red Raiders defeated the California Golden Bears, 34-14. The Independence Bowl Foundation announced a one-year extension with Radiance Technologies – ensuring they will be the title sponsor through 2025. The bowl’s conference, team, and television agreements also run through the 2025 season. Army West Point and the Big 12 are slated to match up against a rotation of the Pac-12 Conference, American Athletic Conference and Conference USA, which will be televised on an ESPN network.

The Independence Bowl Foundation is prevalent in the Shreveport-Bossier City area throughout the year, hosting events to help enhance the economic impact and growth of our community. The Mission of the Independence Bowl is to attract and provide quality, nationally recognized football competition oriented to the Ark-La-Tex region. For more information, visit RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com or follow the bowl on Facebook, X and Instagram at @IndyBowl.