From being left out by the Chiefs to reclaiming his spot in Kansas City after Isiah Pacheco’s leg injury, running back Kareem Hunt has come a long way. Today, he is one of the important contributors on the roster as the Chiefs and quarterback Patrick Mahomes head to face the Giants in Week 3 at MetLife Stadium. However, before the game, the RB received well-deserved love and recognition from his former school in Ohio.

Willoughby South Hills High honored the Chiefs player during its game against Maple Heights and retired his No. 3 jersey. Starcade Media just shared some of the snaps and snippets of the players from the game. As the 30-year-old sat on the sidelines to cheer for the current players, the Rebels didn’t disappoint their biggest supporter, securing a  7-6 win over Maple Heights.

South Hills player Jayden Hardy went for a 68-yard touchdown catch, breaking the scoreless tie. “That play is called Chiefs, named for Kareem. So, he knew that when he saw it. So, he was fired up about it,” Rebels’ head coach Matt Duffy declared. All the love and support serve as a reminder of the journey that brought him to this point. He often returns to his alma mater, South Hills High School, where he practiced and stayed fit whenever things got tough in the league.

Drafted by the Chiefs in 2017, he made an immediate impact, leading the league with 1,327 rushing yards in his rookie season. He added eight rushing touchdowns, caught 53 passes for 455 yards, and quickly made an impression. His breakout performance even earned him second place in the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year voting. However, trouble struck in 2018 when the Chiefs cut him after he violated the NFL’s personal conduct policy.

Hope came for him when former Chiefs GM John Dorsey, then with the Cleveland Browns, convinced the organization to take a chance on him. Yet, when his contract ended, the team chose not to extend it. Later, he stepped in after Browns running back Nick Chubb suffered an injury, but again, he wasn’t offered an extension, leaving him without a team.

During this period, he went back to South Hills High, not only to train and focus on drills but also to motivate and inspire the young players there. “As a football coach, especially for young guys, you want to be a motivating force and help them make decisions in their life,” Duffy told The News-Herald. “Kareem does that for our players. ‘Hey, this is what hard work looks like. This is how a professional works and acts and makes the right decisions.’“

Even in those uncertain days, he never gave up hope of returning to the NFL. Now, back with the Chiefs, he has once again become a crucial part of the team.

Kareem Hunt found his way back to the Chiefs, also with more surprise

He kept looking for opportunities, and one came after running backs Isiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire suffered injuries in 2024. After hearing the news, Hunt texted coach Andy Reid and Mahomes, saying he was training and ready. Much to his relief, Reid replied within an hour and soon told him to prepare to fly to Kansas City.

That year, Hunt was offered a spot on the Chiefs’ practice squad. Coach Reid believed the player had changed after what led to his removal back in 2018. “I knew he had changed,” Reid told reporters (Jan. 27). He added, “I had spent some time with him at Pat’s (Mahomes) wedding (March 12, 2022). He’s got a good heart. Even when he went through his deal, he’s got a good heart.”

Hunt had worked hard to earn that opportunity. And he continues to work for it. This season, both Pacheco and Hunt have 47 rushing yards, but Pacheco has 15 carries while Hunt managed it on 13. Although he couldn’t lead the Chiefs to victory in the Super Bowl last season, he’ll have another chance to face all the hurdles when he faces the Giants next.