Chiefs: Kareem Hunt Has Grown Since 2018 Shoving Incident

Kansas City, Mo. – The Kansas City Chiefs made headlines when they released running back Kareem Hunt six years ago after controversial video surfaced showing him shoving and kicking a woman outside his home. This decision was swift and marked a significant turning point in both Hunt’s career and the team’s stance on player conduct.

In a surprising move on Wednesday, the Chiefs announced that they would be welcoming Hunt back to the fold. Head coach Andy Reid emphasized the change he has observed in Hunt since that troubling episode, suggesting that the player has matured significantly over the years.

“We just thought he needed a change of scenery and get some help,” Reid stated. “He did a nice job in Cleveland, and we talked to the people there – there were no issues.” He added, “It looks like he’s grown up.” Reid’s comments reflect a broader philosophy about redemption and the possibility of second chances, particularly for those who have shown genuine effort toward personal growth.

The decision to re-sign Hunt comes in the wake of a recent injury to starting running back Isiah Pacheco, who suffered a broken fibula. With the urgency of filling that position, the Chiefs signed Hunt to their practice squad on Tuesday, and Reid indicated that Hunt might see action in an upcoming game against the Atlanta Falcons.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who has kept in touch with Hunt over the years, also expressed his support for the running back’s return. Mahomes was one of the players most vocal about the need for accountability after the initial incident, but he now sees the positive changes in Hunt’s life. “Everybody has friends that make mistakes — obviously some are bigger than others,” Mahomes said. “But at the same time, you want to make the person better.”

Mahomes highlighted the importance of supporting friends through their struggles and commended Hunt for working to become a better person. “I think you’ve seen that with Kareem, and so I’ve stayed in touch with him just to see how he’s doing, how his family’s doing, everything like that,” he added.

Hunt was initially drafted by the Chiefs in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft, the same draft that brought Mahomes to Kansas City. He had an exceptional rookie season, rushing for 1,327 yards — the highest in the league — and scoring 11 touchdowns, in addition to catching 53 passes. However, his trajectory shifted dramatically after the video scandal arose, derailing what seemed to be a promising career.

Following the incident in 2018, Hunt was placed on the NFL’s commissioner’s exempt list before being released by the Chiefs for what they deemed a lack of honesty during the inquiry about the video. Since then, Hunt has spent the last five seasons with the Cleveland Browns, where he experienced varying levels of success. His most productive year came in 2020 when he rushed for 841 yards and caught 38 passes. Last season, he recorded 411 rushing yards and caught 15 passes.

As Hunt returns to the franchise where it all began, there is cautious optimism surrounding his impact on the team. Many fans and players alike are hopeful that Hunt’s commitment to self-improvement and maturity will translate into positive contributions on the field. The Chiefs are looking for depth in their running game amidst injuries, and Hunt’s familiarity with the franchise could prove beneficial as they strive for continued success this season.

With the looming matchup against the Falcons, all eyes will be on Hunt as he aims to prove himself once again in the league and to the Chiefs’ organization.