By Jerry Jordan, Editor
Previously known for his NFL football days as the “Bonecrusher” and the “Patriot-Killer,” Bernard Pollard is now a huge NASCAR fan, spokesperson for Ally Financial and a supporter of Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman, so when he was put on the spot this is what he had to say regarding his thoughts on which team will take the top honors in today’s Super Bowl LVII.
“I gotta go with Philly, I mean this is Philly’s year, I truly believe it,” Pollard told Kickin’ the Tires during this past week’s Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum. “As long as the head coach doesn’t do anything trying to be cute, as long as they don’t do anything to mess that up, I just don’t think anybody can stop (Jalen) Hurts rights now. He’s done a phenomenal job.”
Pollard earned the nickname “Bonecrusher” when he played for the Purdue Boilermakers – the alma mater of NASCAR driver Ryan Newman – and later picked up the moniker “Patriot-Killer” after he delivered a hit that would eventually end legendary quarterback Tom Brady’s season in 2008. The incident upset Pollard enough that he would officially apologize, explaining the injury-causing was an accident and he prayed Brady would recover quickly. It must not have been too bad because Brady went on to win five more Super Bowl titles afterward.
But the incident occurred when Pollard was a Kansas City Chief. That’s right. Before going to the Houston Texans, the Baltimore Ravens and ending his playing career after an injury on the Tennessee Titans defense; Pollard was the leading tackler for the Chiefs. So, why is he going with Jurts instead of Patrick Mahomes?
“I just think it is their year,” Pollard explained. “I don’t think the game is going to be close. I hope Kansas City wins but looking at it, watching how this year has happened, and how everything has, kind of, transpired, I think Philly runs away with it.”
It doesn’t help that Mahomes is still nursing an injured ankle that fans have seen the results of as he limps on and off the field and appears to have lost some of his offensive agility.
“I mean, obviously, it’s bad but he is a true competitor,” Pollard said. “The Toradol is going to smash some stuff, you know, he is going to get shot up with some Toradol but I think, you know when it is all said and done it ain’t going to matter. I mean, they’ve got seven or eight dudes that can get after him.”
Mahomes received a Toradol injection, which is used to relieve pain and inflation during his most recent NFL playoff game but he has had a full off-week to get additional relief and let his ankle heal. Mahomes doesn’t have an official designation for injury heading into the Super Bowl and was listed as a “full participant.”
According to DraftKings scouting reports, “Mahomes again was listed as a full participant on the final injury report for the Super Bowl, one day removed from winning his second NFL MVP award after throwing for a career-high 5,250 yards with 41 touchdowns in 17 games during the 2022 campaign. The Chiefs are expecting the six-year signal-caller to be able to handle most, if not all, of the team’s offensive playbook …”
Pollard said he has a lot of respect for Kansas City Chiefs head coach, Andy Reid, and believes there is a lot going on behind the scenes to help come up with a creative offensive plan to help the Chiefs win.
“Andy is a phenomenal coach, I respect him, I think he is one of the smartest coaches in the National Football League. He is going to have some stuff for them. I think Spags (Steve Spagnuolo), the defensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs, he is probably the best out of any defensive coordinator in the National Football League, but I think it is going to be just too much to handle for Kansas City.”
Find out of Pollard’s predictions are right or wrong this afternoon when Super Bowl LVII kicks off at 6:30 p.m. EST on FOX.