ST. LOUIS – For St. Louis football fans who can’t get behind the Kansas City Chiefs or Philadelphia Eagles in this year’s Super Bowl but want to support homegrown talents, there’s one name you should watch in Sunday’s clash.

Tershawn Wharton has emerged as a starting defensive end for the Kansas City Chiefs. This year, he’s the only player on either Super Bowl squad with St. Louis roots. On Sunday, he’s battling for his third consecutive Super Bowl title.

Wharton, now 26 years old with five years of NFL experience, is a St. Louis native who grew up primarily in University City.

His high school football career included three years with Maplewood-Richmond Heights, though he played his senior season with University City. In 2016, as a senior, Wharton shined with 110 tackles and four sacks, honored on the first team for MSHSAA’s All-Suburban Central Conference.

After high school, Wharton excelled as a four-year starter for the Missouri S&T Miners in Rolla, a Division II football program. Wharton finished his collegiate career with 58 tackles for loss and 35.5 sacks, in addition to two first-team honors for the Great Lakes Valley Conference.

After college, Wharton signed as an undrafted free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs. He worked his way to the Chiefs’ 2020 roster, and his opportunities have steadily increased each season. Wharton finished with a career-best 10 starts, 29 tackles, and 6.5 sacks in the 2024 regular season.

It hasn’t been the easiest of NFL journeys for Wharton, who suffered a torn ACL in 2022, though he’s emerged as a dynamic presence on the Chiefs defense, known for his quickness and versatility. Chiefs-centric website ArrowheadPride.com describes 2024 as a “career season” for Wharton, in which his pass-rushing and defensive pressure have stood out more than ever.

In 2021, Wharton’s high school football coach at University City, Jamieson Allen, told FOX 2 that while he’s not the most familiar name on the Chiefs, his skills have always raised the bar.

“I don’t think a lot of people really knew a whole lot about him, but it wasn’t because of his abilities,” said Allen. “His work ethic was phenomenal. He was intense. He’s very quiet and a well-spoken young man, but when the lights come on and he puts that helmet on, he was a terror. He was really a pleasure to coach and a pleasure to watch because he was determined to do all he could to help his teammates be successful.”

Wharton is due for a new contract next season after returning to Kansas City on a one-year. $2.75 million deal for the 2024 season.

Super Bowl LIX between the Chiefs and Eagles is set for 5:30 p.m. CT Sunday. Your local FOX affiliate, KTVI (FOX 2) in St. Louis, will carry the live game broadcast.