South Dakota’s own Dallas Goedert is returning to the Super Bowl for the second time in seven seasons this week as his Philadelphia Eagles will face the Kansas City Chiefs for the Lombardi Trophy.
Goedert grew up playing high school football at Britton-Hecla. As a multi-sport athlete, he displays a wide variety of skills, but football is the path he ultimately chose. He stayed in-state for college had a standout career at South Dakota State University playing for the Jackrabbits. Throughout his collegiate career, Goedert recorded 21 receiving touchdowns as a tight end and had nearly 3,000 career receiving yards. He was also a two-time FCS All-American and a three-time all first-team honoree in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.
The Eagles traded up to draft Goedert in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft sending him to Philadelphia, where he has remained for his entire career thus far.
“I remember watching [the Eagles] win [Super Bowl 52]. It was cool. I was rooting for them. It was an awesome game, and then to be drafted here right after that. My initial thoughts were ‘I’m going to win a lot of these things.’ The way the team talked about it when I got here, making the playoffs, making the little bit of run my rookie year, it seemed like it was an expectation to get there,” explained Goedert. “To be able to make two of them in seven years is pretty special.”
Since 2018, SDSU has seen three tight ends go to the NFL – Goedert to Philadelphia (2nd round) in 2018, Tucker Kraft to Green Bay (3rd round) in 2023, and Zach Heins (UDFA) to the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024. All three played high school football in South Dakota as well.
Super Bowl 59 is a rematch of Super Bowl 57 with the Eagles and Chiefs. Kansas City won, who is seeking the first ever three-peat in the Super Bowl era, defeated Philadelphia 38-35 two years ago in the big game 38-35. Goedert had six catches for 60-yards in the contest.
“Obviously, it’s pretty cool that we get to play [Kansas City] again,” he said. “It’s cool getting to this game. To be the best you’ve got to beat the best, and I’m excited about this opportunity, I’m excited for this matchup. Playing in games like this are what you always dream of.”
The Eagles finished the regular season at 14-3, which included a division championship and the No. 2 sed in the NFC. Post-season wins against Green Bay, Los Angeles (Rams), and Washington punched Philadelphia’s ticket to the Super Bowl.
“I think we’ve played a lot of good football this year, but I know this team, offensively, defensively, special teams, we want the big one,” stated Goedert. “That’s the goal at the beginning of the season. You don’t talk about it much, because there are so many steps to get there, but it’s going to be fun.”
Cooper DeJean, who was born in South Dakota, but grew up across the border in Odebolt, Iowa, also plays for the Eagles as a cornerback. His parents Jason and Katie were athletes at Huron College back in the day.
A few other athletes with area ties who will be represented in the Super Bowl this weekend are Carson Wentz, Chris Oladokun, and Jack Cochrane. Wentz is a former No. 2 overall pick from North Dakota State University, who was drafted by the Eagles, but now backs up Patrick Mahomes for Kansas City. Oladokun, who quarterbacked South Dakota State University back in 2021, after Mark Gronowski tore his ACL and had to sit, is on the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad. Cochrane is a linebacker for Kansas City. He played college football at the University of South Dakota, and is currently on injury reserve with the Chiefs.
Super Bowl 59 from New Orleans between the Eagles and Chiefs will kick off at 5:30 pm CT on Fox.
