Photo by: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
#FromStateToSundays: Conference Championship Update
January 31, 2022 | Football
STARKVILLE – The Kansas City Chiefs saw their season come to a close with a 27-24 overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship game.
That loss also spelled the end of the year for a pair of former Mississippi State defensive standouts, Willie Gay Jr. and Chris Jones. Gay started at linebacker while Jones earned the start at right defensive tackle in that contest.
Gay posted five tackles against the Bengals, including a stop for a 2-yard loss just before halftime. He also added a pair of pass deflections.
Jones added three tackles and finished the season as Kansas City's highest-graded defensive player at 83.4 overall.
And even though the final team containing former Bulldogs were eliminated from the playoffs, there is still one more opportunity to see MSU players in NFL action this season in the Pro Bowl on Sunday.
On Monday, it was announced that Jeffery Simmons of the Tennessee Titans would replace Jones on the AFC Pro Bowl Roster due to injury. It is Simmons' first Pro Bowl nod.
Two other Bulldogs will also participate in the Pro Bowl for the NFC as Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay and New Orleans Saints special teamer J.T. Gray suit up for the 2 p.m. CT game in Las Vegas televised by ESPN.
WILLIE GAY JR. | KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – LB | AT MSU: 2017-19
Career Postseason: 3 G, 3 GS, 7 TKL, 4 AST, 11 TT, 1 TFL, 1 QBH, 1 FF, 2 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 3 TKL, 2 AST, 5 TT, 1 TFL, 2 PD vs. Cincinnati Bengals (L, 27-24 OT)
Career Postseason: 12 G, 10 GS, 8 TKL, 11 AST, 19 TT, 1.0 TFL, 4 QBH, 9 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 2 TKL, 1 AST, 3 TT vs. Cincinnati Bengals (L, 27-24 OT)
Career Postseason: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP vs. Cincinnati Bengals (L, 27-24 OT)
For more information on the Bulldog football program, visit HailState.com or search for "HailStateFB" on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
That loss also spelled the end of the year for a pair of former Mississippi State defensive standouts, Willie Gay Jr. and Chris Jones. Gay started at linebacker while Jones earned the start at right defensive tackle in that contest.
Gay posted five tackles against the Bengals, including a stop for a 2-yard loss just before halftime. He also added a pair of pass deflections.
Jones added three tackles and finished the season as Kansas City's highest-graded defensive player at 83.4 overall.
MOOD ‼️@StoneColdJones | #CINvsKC pic.twitter.com/Tp4roFLVj6
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 30, 2022
And even though the final team containing former Bulldogs were eliminated from the playoffs, there is still one more opportunity to see MSU players in NFL action this season in the Pro Bowl on Sunday.
On Monday, it was announced that Jeffery Simmons of the Tennessee Titans would replace Jones on the AFC Pro Bowl Roster due to injury. It is Simmons' first Pro Bowl nod.
Two other Bulldogs will also participate in the Pro Bowl for the NFC as Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay and New Orleans Saints special teamer J.T. Gray suit up for the 2 p.m. CT game in Las Vegas televised by ESPN.
WILLIE GAY JR. | KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – LB | AT MSU: 2017-19
Career Postseason: 3 G, 3 GS, 7 TKL, 4 AST, 11 TT, 1 TFL, 1 QBH, 1 FF, 2 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 3 TKL, 2 AST, 5 TT, 1 TFL, 2 PD vs. Cincinnati Bengals (L, 27-24 OT)
- Made a tackle for a 2-yard loss in the second quarter following the two-minute warning.
Career Postseason: 12 G, 10 GS, 8 TKL, 11 AST, 19 TT, 1.0 TFL, 4 QBH, 9 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 2 TKL, 1 AST, 3 TT vs. Cincinnati Bengals (L, 27-24 OT)
- Had the highest defensive grade for the Chiefs during the 2021 season and postseason at 83.4.
Career Postseason: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP vs. Cincinnati Bengals (L, 27-24 OT)
For more information on the Bulldog football program, visit HailState.com or search for "HailStateFB" on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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