Familiarity is one aspect of what makes this Super Bowl matchup between the 49ers and Chiefs special.

Both teams have a handful of players who played in Super Bowl LIV when they last faced off in the big game together. However, there are a few changes from the last time they faced in a Super Bowl. One of those changes is with cornerback Charvarius Ward who was on the Chiefs four years ago.

Now, he is aiming to help the 49ers get revenge on the Chiefs. Ward is a completely different player than what he was back then. This season he achieved All-Pro and Pro Bowl status for the first time in his career. When Patrick Mahomes faces Ward, he will see the best version he has ever faced. Mahomes is surely looking forward to the challenge, but he is also ecstatic about how far Ward has come.

“Charvarius is a great player. I remember when he first got to the Kansas City Chiefs, we got him off the practice squad from the Cowboys and you could see from day one that he was going to be the starter from the way he played,” said Mahomes. “He’s a physical guy, he’ll get up in your face, he challenges you, and whenever the opportunity comes, he’ll be aggressive and try to go make the play. I’m happy for him. He’s done a great job in San Francisco and I’m glad he’s getting the shine that he’s always deserved.”

Nothing but praise and love from Mahomes for his former teammate Ward. It is something that Ward himself has been showing to Mahomes as well for the last week. But come Sunday, all that praise goes out the window as both will look to make the other’s day miserable.