Chiefs activate Hunt 6 years after chopping him

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Strolling out of the group’s observe facility for the final time as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2018, operating again Kareem Hunt did not dare dream then he would ever return.

So it was nonetheless with a way of shock, greater than every week after he rejoined the Chiefs, that he was again.

“It is loopy how some issues occurred to work out,” Hunt stated. “It was so much, actually. It was a variety of feelings. I used to be very excited, a bit of nervous and stuff like that (however) these guys know me. I’ve simply acquired to go and be myself.”

The Chiefs activated Hunt to the lively roster after every week on the observe squad and coach Andy Reid stated he would play in Sunday’s sport in opposition to the Chargers in Los Angeles.

Certainly, Hunt’s return to the Chiefs is sort of a twist. The group abruptly launched him in the course of the 2018 season as he was having one other huge 12 months when a video surfaced exhibiting Hunt kicking and shoving a lady outdoors his residence.

The Chiefs on the time stated Hunt hadn’t been truthful in regards to the incident after they had requested him about it. He then signed along with his hometown Cleveland Browns, for whom he performed the final 5 seasons.

“I used to be very younger at the moment. 23, and had a variety of success going for me and felt like I assume I wanted time to determine myself out and be taught and I felt prefer it was good for me to try this,” Hunt stated. “I had a chance go to the Browns and stuff and that is my hometown, so I assume it labored out.

“I realized that everyone would not have their finest pursuits for me, even household, pals and stuff like that. I simply needed to mirror on a variety of issues and see ‘How did I find yourself right here?’ ”

Hunt acknowledged the issue of watching the Chiefs win championships from afar. The Chiefs received the Tremendous Bowl in 2019, the 12 months after he was launched, and once more in 2022 and 2023.

“I needed to simply take into consideration the nice, constructive issues,” Hunt stated. “I used to be so excited for coach Reid to win a number of Tremendous Bowls. I wished to be the man to assist him do this, too. I’ve nonetheless acquired a variety of shut pals on his group and I could not be extra excited for them to see them obtain their objectives.

“I used to be part of it at first and I used to be simply so pleased and thrilled for them. I wished them to win all alongside they usually deserve it. They have nice coaches, nice gamers, and everyone comes and does their job.”

Hunt may very well be part of a championship group if the Chiefs can win the Tremendous Bowl once more this season.

“That is been my objective,” he stated. “I really feel like all participant who steps on the soccer area desires to get a championship ring and it will be a dream come true for me ever since I used to be a bit of child and I could not be extra excited to assist these guys defend that title.”

Reid stated he wasn’t sure how a lot Hunt would play in opposition to the Chargers. The Chiefs used rookie Carson Steele and veteran Samaje Perine as their operating backs in final week’s win over the Atlanta Falcons.

No matter how a lot he performs, Hunt stated he could be the identical participant he was for the Chiefs years in the past. He led the NFL in speeding as a rookie in 2017 and was on tempo for an additional 1,000-yard season in 2018 when he was launched.

“I consider I am very able to that also and I am excited to go assist shock the world and present them I’ve nonetheless acquired it,” Hunt stated. “It’s nonetheless exhausting to check. I assume as soon as that day comes, it may really feel actual as a result of it has been a very long time coming. I am unable to wait to placed on the purple once more and go on the market with these guys and put all of it on the road for them. And I envision going on the market and no matter I am requested to do, simply do it on the highest stage and assist discover a strategy to preserve this profitable occurring round right here.”