As if Nick Allegretti wasn't already a hero for Kansas City Chiefs fans after turning in a brilliant performance in relief of Joe Thuney during the team's repeat Super Bowl run, news broke on Tuesday that provided perspective on an even greater effort than anyone realized.
According to NFL reporter Tom Pelissero, Allegretti suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), an interior ligament on the elbow, during the second quarter of Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers. Despite the injury, Allegretti would go on to play every single snap remaining in the game—including overtime.
#Chiefs guard Nick Allegretti, who started Super Bowl LVIII in place All-Pro Joe Thuney, played all 79 snaps despite suffering a torn UCL in his elbow in the second quarter, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 13, 2024
An MRI today revealed the full tear. Few are tougher than Allegretti, now a three-time champ. pic.twitter.com/Y4CZYgDWy8
Allegretti was already earning significant praise for his production in relief of Thuney, who was initially injured during the Chiefs' divisional round win over the Buffalo Bills in January. Thuney suffered a pectoral muscle injury which kept him out of the rest of the postseason and forced Allegretti into a starting role at left guard for road wins over Buffalo and the Baltimore Ravens as well before heading to Las Vegas to play in Super Bowl 58.
The Chiefs originally drafted Allegretti out of the University of Illinois in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He was re-signed to a one-year deal last year to come back for a fifth year with the team—an ideal run of success for Allegretti who has been present for every Super Bowl run in Andy Reid's tenure.
Allegretti is scheduled to be a free agent once again when the new league year begins.