If you asked JuJu Smith-Schuster his chances of playing in Super Bowl LVII after the AFC Championship Game, his answer might have been bleak.
Smith-Schuster’s knee started acting up on him after Thursday’s practice ahead of their tilt with the Cincinnati Bengals. He was listed as a limited participant in practice during the ensuing Friday. During the course of the game, things got worse and Smith-Schuster left with a knee injury.
After the Super Bowl LVII, Smith-Schuster revealed just how much he was struggling with the injury. He told reporters that he put in 4-5 hours of extra work in the training room because he was unable to walk after the AFC title game.
Juju after the SB: “After the AFC Championship game I couldn’t walk and I came out here because I believed in my staff.” Mentioned he put 4-5 extra hours to make the dream of playing on a Super Bowl come true. #Chiefs https://t.co/XxZ38EeAJH
— Harold R. Kuntz (@HaroldRKuntz3) February 14, 2023
Smith-Schuster’s quarterback even praised his effort in getting himself right for Super Bowl LVII.
“That man (JuJu Smith-Schuster) wasn’t missing that game,” Patrick Mahomes wrote. “Every time I walked in the training room he was in there working!!”
As for the man himself, Smith-Schuster gave immense praise and credit to Rick Burkholder, David Glover and the entire Chiefs training staff. Not only were they working around the clock to ensure that Mahomes was right on his high ankle sprain, but they also worked with Smith-Schuster, Kadarius Toney and countless others, to ensure that they’d be able to play and be effective in the big game.
Couldn’t have done it without the team, David Glover and @proatc. I’m so lucky to have a great team and staff helping me get out there. After the AFC title game, I didn’t think it would be possible but they made it happen. https://t.co/R8Ez0ZjeyA
— JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) February 18, 2023
Smith-Schuster didn’t think it was going to be possible for him to play. Not only did he play, but he caught 7-of-9 passes for 57 yards during the game. Five of those receptions went for first downs. As the fourth quarter winded down, Smith-Schuster’s knee held up enough that he was able to draw a holding penalty that helped set up Harrison Butker’s game-winning field goal.
None of that would be possible without two things:
- The Chiefs’ training staff and the effort and energy they put into getting Smith-Schuster healthy for the game.
- Smith-Schuster buying into the program. He believed that the trainers could get him right to play. As a result, he was able to make a huge impact during the biggest game of his career.
