Defensive coordinator Steve Wilks of the San Francisco 49ers. Photo: Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images
The Kansas City Chiefs play the San Francisco 49ers in today's Super Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas at 6:30pm. Catch the game on CBS or a variety of streaming services, like Paramount+.
If you don't have ties to either team playing in the Super Bowl and are looking for reasons to pull for one side over the other, consider some of the Charlotte connections to this year's big game:
Christian McCaffrey was drafted by the Panthers in 2017. He quickly became a fan favorite and maintains several franchise records. In 2022, the team traded the star running back to the San Francisco 49ers. He recently listed his Lake Norman mansion for $12.5M.
Steve Wilks, the 49ers' defensive coordinator, is a Charlotte native and West Charlotte High alumnus. Formerly the Panthers' defensive coordinator, Wilks was the team's interim head coach when Matt Rhule was fired.
Harrison Butker, a kicker for the Chiefs, was drafted by the Panthers in 2017.
Sam Darnold, former Panthers' quarterback, is a backup quarterback for the 49ers.
