CHARLOTTE, N.C. — While many Carolina Panthers fans point to names like Christian McCaffrey and Steve Wilks in Super Bowl 58, there's just one player from the Charlotte area playing in this year's big game: Javon Hargrave.
The veteran defensive tackle who grew up in Salisbury, North Carolina, is playing in his second straight Super Bowl. Just last year, Hargrave played against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles. Should Hargrave and the 49ers prevail on Sunday, it would be a huge win for players with Carolina ties, including Ray-Ray McCloud III and Deebo Samuel, who both starred in college at Clemson and South Carolina, respectively.
Hargrave, who signed a three-year, $90 million contract with the 49ers this past offseason, says Sunday's Super Bowl matchup is personal for him. Hargrave said it was "one of the worst days" and he's still not over the feeling of losing such an important game.
"Never wanting to feel that feeling anymore, of making it all the way to this game and losing," Hargrave told reporters this week. "I just want to feel that other side of how it feels to win instead of being all sad."
Hargrave has faced Mahomes a few times in his career, including one of the QB's first starts that saw him throw six touchdowns against the Steelers in 2018. Hargrave said his Pittsburgh teammates felt confident they could frustrate the young Mahomes. Instead, he carved up the Steelers' defense and "game plans were torn to pieces by halftime," according to the Salisbury native.
Before reaching the NFL, Hargrave was a standout player at North Rowan High School. He signed with South Carolina State and immediately made an impact as a redshirt freshman. As a junior, he led the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in sacks. After another strong effort in his senior year, Hargrave was drafted by Pittsburgh in the third round of the 2016 draft.
He's made the Pro Bowl three straight years and is in the midst of one of his most productive seasons, recording 44 tackles and 7 sacks with the 49ers. He's also recorded 14 hits.
Super Bowl LVIII kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Eastern on Sunday, Feb. 11 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. This year's game is a rematch between two teams that met in Super Bowl 54 in 2020. The Chiefs are looking for their third title with Mahomes and Andy Reid, while the 49ers are hoping to win their first Super Bowl since the 1994-95 season.
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