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From the roll to the Bowl: how Jiu-Jitsu helps Chiefs succeed

From the roll to the Bowl: how Jiu-Jitsu helps Chiefs succeed

Kicksite’s hometown NFL team, the Kansas City Chiefs, have once again made the Super Bowl (sorry all non-Chiefs fans)! The berth marks the fifth appearance in seven years with countless players contributing to help form a modern day football dynasty. Two of those young champions have discovered the benefits of training Jiu-Jitsu thanks to the combined tutelage of a Kicksite customer and a former Chief great, helping them discover a new form of conditioning and supporting a potential three-peat. 

Chiefs defensive end and 2024 team sack-leader George Karlaftis was drafted in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Shortly after making the NFL, Karlaftis reached out to former Chiefs outside linebacker Tamba Hali for any professional advice that might help him succeed as a professional football player. Hali’s response? An invitation to join him on the mats.

The three-time Pro Bowler brought Karlaftis to train with him and Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Overland Park Chief Instructor (yes this is his real title, but also a helpful play on words here!) David Smarr. Under the mentorship of Smarr and Hali, Karlaftis (who had previous Wrestling and Judo experience) began his BJJ journey after his rookie season. He credited the training for helping him to better understand physical leverage during gameplay as well as bringing about humbling lessons related to defeat.

Since diving into the world of Jiu-Jitsu, Karlaftis has collected 18.5 sacks in the past two seasons and has become a staple for the Chiefs defense. Seeing the success of his first Chiefs “student”, Hali reached out to another yet another youngster on the team, this time a defensive lineman.

Felix Anudike-Uzomah was drafted by the Chiefs in the first round, one year after Karlaftis. As part of a position group with lots of depth, Anudike-Uzomah initially found little playing time as a young player during his rookie season. Since then, he’s joined Hali, Karlaftis, and Smarr on the mat to unlock all the benefits Jiu-Jitsu has to offer. 

The Kansas State alum and KC native showed progress in his second year, doubling his tackle total and going from half a sack in 2023 to 2.5 in 2024. Along with his regular season growth, he collected a sack in the Chiefs 23-14 Divisional Round victory over the Houston Texans.

Coincidentally enough, Anudike-Uzomah wasn’t the only student of Jiu-Jitsu to make an impact in that particular postseason victory. Karlaftis also recorded a game-high 3 sacks against the Texans. He continued that 2024 postseason run by adding 2 tackles and applying notable pressure on Buffalo Bill quarterback Josh Allen in the AFC Championship Game 32-29 victory on January 26.

Whether the Chiefs win or lose the Super Bowl, the disdain many others have for the team and fanbase isn’t likely to vanish any time soon. At the very least, we hope that these players’ dedication to martial arts will at least earn them a little respect from the Jiu-Jitsu community. We expect Hali, Karlaftis, Anudike-Uzomah, and David to continue training BJJ with each other, and are looking forward to seeing how that translates to on-field play for Karlaftis and Anudike-Uzomah. The values and unique physical lessons from Jiu-Jitsu may very well help the Chiefs become the first ever back-to-back-to-back Super Bowl Champions.

The mention of athletes or teams within this content does not constitute an endorsement or sponsorship and is for editorial purposes only.

Header photo credits: PFF and Arrowhead Pride