Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes Praises Marcus Kemp For AFC Championship Performance
Jan 30, 2023, 10:33 AM
SALT LAKE CITY – Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes praised former Layton Lancers standout Marcus Kemp for his play during the AFC Championship against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Chiefs hosted the Bengals at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, January 29.
Kansas City defeated Cincinnati, 23-20. With the win, the Chiefs clinched a spot in Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles.
See you in Arizona, @Eagles! #SBLVII | #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/VJcjHcYQZi
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 30, 2023
The Super Bowl-bound Chiefs were down multiple offensive weapons against the Bengals, including multiple wide receivers. Kemp stepped up and had a big 13-yard reception in the second half.
On 2nd & 7, Patrick Mahomes 13-yd pass to Marcus Kemp moves the sticks#Bengals 20 #Chiefs 20 4ᴛʜ pic.twitter.com/ofNa7fFR2T
— Sᴘᴏʀᴛs 24/7 (@Sports_24x7_) January 30, 2023
“It was a wild week, man. We go guys back, we lost guys, we had guys kind of questionable,” Mahomes said during his postgame press conference. “I was proud of those guys and how they battled, man. Not everyone was feeling 100 percent out there and they went and battled anyways.”
Mahomes continued by commending the former Layton High standout for being ready for the opportunity.
“The good thing about having a guy like Kemp is he’s a guy I was throwing to in scout team and training camp my first year here,” Mahomes continued. “I’ve built up that trust in him and know he’s gonna be in the right spot. Every time he gets in, man, it seems like he makes something good happen. So I was happy for him.”
ONE CHAMPIONSHIP DOWN, ONE MORE TO GO! pic.twitter.com/TK9Ud4Sf7N
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 30, 2023
Kemp finished the game with a single catch. However, he played 22 snaps on offense and 18 snaps on special teams during the title game.
Super Bowl LVII between the Chiefs and Eagles will take place on Sunday, February 12 at 4:30 p.m. (MDT). The game will be televised on FOX.
RELATED: 10 Local NFL Players, Coaches Reach Super Bowl LVII With Championship Sunday Wins
Other local players and coaches on the Chiefs include:
- Andy Reid (Head Coach)
- Porter Ellett (Offensive Quality Control)
- Alex Whittingham (Defensive Quality Control)
- Zayne Anderson (Safety – Practice Squad)
- Matt Bushman (Tight End – Practice Squad)
Congrats to these #LocalsInTheNFL, who are headed to #SuperBowlLVII:
🔴 Andy Reid
🔴 @MarcusDKemp
🔴 @zayneanderson23
🔴 @mbush89
🔴 @porterellett
🔴 @alexwutangham #NFL #NFLPlayoffs #ChiefsKingdom #GoUtes #BYUFOOTBALL @kslsports
📷: Getty Images pic.twitter.com/Ko7gUSu70l— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) January 30, 2023
About Marcus Kemp
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Kemp re-joined Kansas City’s practice squad in October 2022. It was the start of his third stint with the Chiefs.
He previously played for Kansas City from 2017-20 and 2020-21. Kemp was recently a member of the New York Giants. New York released Kemp after he was placed on Injured Reserve in August because of a hamstring injury. The former Lancer was also a member of the Miami Dolphins in 2020.
Prior to his time in the NFL, Kemp was a standout player at Layton High. Following his high school career, the wide receiver played college football for the Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors.
Kemp played at Hawai’i from 2013-16. During his time with the Rainbow Warriors, Kemp had 176 receptions for 2,570 yards and 13 touchdowns in 45 games.
He signed with the Chiefs after he went undrafted in the 2017 NFL Draft.
In 2019, Kemp suffered a knee injury and was placed on Injured Reserve by the Chiefs. Later that season, Kansas City defeated the San Francisco 49ers to win Super Bowl LVI.
During his professional career, Kemp has hauled in four catches for 42 yards during the regular season and one reception for 13 yards in the postseason. He’s also 24 total tackles and 18 solo tackles in the regular season. In the playoffs, Kemp has posted three total tackles and two solo tackles.
Man I’m just so proud of my teammates. Battling through so much adversity yesterday. Pat’s ankle. TK’s back. Mecole playing through a injury to get a huge first down. Skyy stepping in thrown in the fire, Marcus Kemp being the ultimate pro, always prepared. Called up and was huge.
— Marquez V-S (@MVS__11) January 30, 2023
Kemp has played in 45 NFL games during his time in the league, including four playoff games.
Kyle Ireland is a Locals in the NFL Insider for sports.ksl.com and co-host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
