Third-string Chiefs QB Chris Oladokun has never appeared in an NFL game, yet he played a crucial role in Kansas City’s Super Bowl run.
During an appearance on the “Stuck in My Thoughts” podcast with Justin Stuckey, Oladokun discussed how he emulated two-time MVP Lamar Jackson in practice to help the Chiefs prepare for the AFC Championship game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Jackson struggled in that game, and head coach Andy Reid rewarded Oladokun by naming him the team’s ‘Defensive Player of the Game.’ Though Oladokun didn’t actually play defense, his practice efforts gave Steve Spagnuolo’s unit a crucial advantage. The Ravens managed to score on their second drive but were held to just three points for the rest of the game. Jackson completed only 20 of his 37 pass attempts for 272 yards with one touchdown and one interception, and he was sacked four times, indicating the Chiefs were well-prepared for his dynamic play.
“Coach Reid was like, ‘Hey, this has never been done before, but our Defensive Player of the Game,'” Oladokun shared with Stuckey. “He said my name and the defense was fired up for me. To have that validation, like, ‘We need you. You helped us win this game,’ and it is something I’ll never forget because I’m not waking up at 5:30 every morning for nothing. I’m valuable to this team.”
Not only was the strategy successful on the field, but Oladokun’s joyful response highlights Reid’s exceptional leadership. Despite being a practice squad player for the past two years, Reid made Oladokun feel valued. It would have been easy to give the ‘Defensive Player of the Game’ award to L’Jarius Sneed, whose forced fumble on Zay Flowers saved a touchdown and effectively sealed the game. However, Reid seized the moment to acknowledge Oladokun’s contributions.
These small gestures are part of what makes Reid the NFL’s best coach and the Chiefs a dynasty. Oladokun is back with the organization for a third year, and even if he remains on the practice squad, he understands his significant role in the team’s success.