NEW ORLEANS – Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has had an amazing career in the National Football League, with over 100 receptions in four seasons and a total of 984 catches for 12,965 yards and 83 touchdowns over 13 years.

However, the one thing missing from his storied career has been a Super Bowl appearance. That drought will end on Sunday when the Chiefs face off against the Philadelphia Eagles at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

This defining moment was almost derailed by an incident earlier this season. While playing for the Tennessee Titans, Hopkins removed himself from a game during a blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills in October 2024.

“There was a lot of stuff in the media saying that I got benched,” said Hopkins at Monday’s Opening Night for Super Bowl LIX. “I didn’t get benched. That was the first time in my career where I felt like, ‘Man, I don’t belong out here on the field right now.’ We weren’t winning, no plays were being called for me, which isn’t something I demand, but if I’m on the field, I want to be included.”

“So I took myself out of the game and I saw a lot of things in the media saying I got benched and I let it go. The next day, I went into Ran Carthon’s office and said, ‘I’m losing my love for this game being in this situation.’ Ran noticed in my eyes that I didn’t want to be there.”
(Translation: I am losing my passion for football in this situation. Ran observed my feelings.)

The rest is history, as Carthon arranged a trade with Kansas City, and Hopkins was soon able to showcase his talent on the biggest stage.