The 2025 season has, for Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, been all about just getting back on the field and playing again after the devastating knee injury he suffered a year ago in December, an injury so severe some with the teams feared it was career-ending. Instead, Overshown made his return to the field in Week 11 and played even more in Week 12, both Cowboys wins.

But as a subplot to it all, Overshown has also been eyeing the Week 13 Thanksgiving game, for a few reasons. Any Cowboys player wants to be on the field for the team’s traditional holiday game, but adding intrigue to the whole thing is the fact that Dallas is welcoming the Chiefs and quarterback Patrick Mahomes for the game, which might be the most-watched in league history.

Overshown has history with Mahomes, going back to their hometown of Tyler, Texas. That’s adding a little extra spice to Overshown’s day.

DeMarvion Overshown Cowboys Mission: Sack Patrick Mahomes

With both players being from Tyler, Overshown knows he has a mission from home in the Cowboys-Chiefs tilt: Register a sack on Mahomes. His reputation back in the 903 area code is at stake.

“I got to. Look, it’s mandatory,” Overshown said at his locker on Tuesday. “East Texas been talking about it since the schedule popped up. It’s 903. We going at it, we going at it, somebody got to win.”

Overshown has yet to have a sack this season, but he had 5.0 sacks in 2024. Mahomes has been sacked 24 times, including four times last week against the Colts. His sack rate this season is 5.57%, the second-highest of his career. The Chiefs’ offensive line is subpar, and Mahomes likes to extend plays with his legs. The opportunity will be there for Overshown.

“It’s going to be fun,” Overshown said of Mahomes’ scrambling ability. “I like my abilities, so it’s going to be fun if that’s what he decides to do, we got a good game plan for it. More stats for me.”

DeMarvion Overshown Knows Mahomes Family ‘Real Well’

Overshown explained that he actually has deep connections to Mahomes back home. He went to the same school when Mahomes was in high school and Overshown was still in elementary school (Mahomes is 30, Overshown is 25).

“Crazy thing is, so, I went to Whitehouse in elementary so the varsity football players will actually come to the elementary and see the kids,” Overshown said. “So, Pat was actually in high school. It was a couple times he came to the elementary, his brother, Jackson, and his cousin, Emma, we were all in the same class. I actually grew up with them. So I know the Mahomes real well, that family real well.”

Cowboys Eager for a Big Day

Before he was drafted by the Cowboys, Overshown was telling teams he was dreaming of getting on the same field as Mahomes.

“I am pretty sure during combine interviews, I said it was either a dream to play against him or play with him. So I get to play against him, that’s gonna be fun,” Overshown said.

Despite their mutual roots, Overshown said he has not talked to Mahomes since he has been in the NFL. But he said that on Thursday, “It will be good to hear from him during the game. When I am chasing him around.”