5 overlooked heroes who fueled Chiefs' dramatic Super Bowl LVIII victory

Tommy Townsend, P

For all the kudos being passed around in the wake of the Chiefs' win in Super Bowl LVIII, even one specialist is finding his name being mentioned alongside the team's biggest stars for good reason. Harrison Butker deserves the applause after a tremendous year and he once again helped put the Chiefs over the top with a perfect day of kicking the football on Super Bowl Sunday.

That said, Butker's fellow specialist, punter Tommy Townsend, was actually excellent when his team needed him in the biggest game of all. In fact, in a game that was primarily a defensive battle most of the time, it was Townsend's ability to help provide solid field position and ability to boot the ball with such impressive hang time that is being overlooked as a weapon for the Chiefs.

Townsend has been an exemplary performer for Dave Toub's special teams since he first arrived in Kansas City but the team's offense and the rarity of seeing them punt for so long has largely kept Townsend's work in the shadows. Last year, however, he was finally recognized with an All-Pro season that rewarded him for a booming leg that can place the ball with the shocking accuracy.

While the honors didn't come his way again this season, the results were the same. And after averaging nearly 51 yards per punt in Super Bowl LVIII, Townsend is an overlooked hero who deserves credit for his part in helping the Chiefs edge the Niners.