South Carolina Football: Former Gamecock earns third Super Bowl ring as coach

South Carolina football fans had their eyes on two former Gamecocks on the field during Sunday's Super Bowl LVIII matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers. Deebo Samuel and Javon Kinlaw both play for the '9ers, and when Patrick Mahomes led the Chiefs down the field in overtime to win the Super Bowl, many fans thought no Gamecocks would be bringing home a ring.

They thought incorrectly.

For the third time, former South Carolina football standout Rod Wilson has won a Super Bowl ring with the Kansas City Chiefs as a coach. Wilson is a defensive assistant on head coach Andy Reid's staff and has been with KC for all three of their recent hoistings of the Lombardi Trophy.

During his days as a South Carolina Gamecock, Wilson played all over the field before settling in as a hybrid linebacker/safety for head coach Lou Holtz. The former quarterback/running back/wide receiver thrived in his switch to defense, and he worked his way into becoming a team leader and captain as a senior in 2004. He made the All-SEC team that season.

Wilson was selected in the 2005 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears and played six years in the league, including being a part of the Chicago Bears team that lost to Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLI.

After his playing days finished, he got into coaching. Wilson has been in both the college game (including one season with his alma mater) and the professional ranks. About half of his coaching career has come with the Chiefs. In his five seasons with the organization, he has won three Super Bowl titles, two of them coming in wins over the San Francisco 49ers.

Joining Wilson with the Chiefs is former Gamecock Shi Smith who signed a futures contract with the organization three weeks ago. While he was not a part of the championship-winning group that played this season, he will have the opportunity to help the team defend their title in 2024.