Why Chiefs’ playoff win was emotional for Kareem Hunt: ‘Like a dream come true again’
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt admits he had to work to not get too excited ahead of Saturday’s playoff game against the Houston Texans.
It’s what seven years of waiting will do to you.
After reuniting with the Chiefs earlier this season, Hunt played in his first playoff game with the team since 2018 in Saturday’s 23-14 home victory in the AFC Divisional Round.
“The emotions definitely are high, man. I feel blessed,” Hunt said afterward. “This feels like a dream come true again.”
Hunt’s history to get here made Saturday’s performance all the more memorable.
KC drafted him in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft, and he started every game over two productive seasons before video surfaced of an off-field incident where he shoved and kicked a woman. Hunt later admitted that he was not honest with the Chiefs, who released him in late November 2018.
After that, Hunt believed he’d never return to the team, telling The Star two weeks ago that having to leave KC was “one of the biggest heartbreaks and moments of my life.”
Fast forward to now. Following an injury to Isiah Pacheco, the Chiefs gave Hunt a second chance by signing him as a free agent in mid-September.
They were fully rewarded for their faith on Saturday. Hunt scored a touchdown in the second quarter and made big plays in the fourth to help KC secure the win.
“He ran hard today,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said.
“Beast,” fellow running back Carson Steele said.
“Kareem needs to keep running the ball like that,” Chiefs defensive end Chris Jones said with a smile. “We’ll take it.”
The final tally for Hunt: eight carries for 44 yards, though that understates what he did late.
For example, on a fourth-and-1 with the Chiefs leading by one, Hunt got the ball and spun off would-be tackler Mario Edwards Jr. to gain 3 yards and extend the drive.
Hunt’s celebration on the ground after picking up the first down? He motioned his hand up to his mouth like he had a spoon while urging the Chiefs coaching staff to feed him.
Or perhaps to tell the world that he remains hungry.
“I saw a good D-line rush, and one-on-one in the hole. I gotta find a way to get a yard or two,” Hunt said. “I like my odds every time.”
That individual effort led to a Travis Kelce touchdown on that possession.
Then later, to ice things, Hunt had runs of 11 and 12 yards to set up a field goal that put the Chiefs up two scores in the fourth quarter.
All this after the Chiefs barely used Hunt early. The veteran had two carries in the first three quarters before a six-carry, 39-yard performance in the final period.
“I’m going to make the most of the opportunity,” Hunt said. “That’s what I do every time I touch the ball: I try to make the most of it and find a way to put the team in a situation to be successful.”
It had been quite a span since Hunt had gotten a playoff carry for the Chiefs. The last time was Jan. 6, 2018, when he had 43 rushing yards in the Chiefs’ 22-21 home playoff loss to the Tennessee Titans when Alex Smith was still KC’s quarterback.
Chiefs long snapper James Winchester, who was teammates with Hunt during his previous stint, said it was “incredible” to have him return.
“It’s good to always have some guys who get a chance to have redemption and come back,” Winchester said. “We’re fired up about that.”
Steele said he could tell immediately what this opportunity meant to Hunt when he joined the team in September. Not only did he see Hunt constantly with a smile on his face, but he also saw a hard runner — one, in fact, who was making it tough on Chiefs defenders during his first couple weeks on scout team.
“He was running through dudes,” Steele said with a laugh. “Always just showing 100%.”
Steele said the Chiefs fed off Hunt’s positive sideline energy Saturday as well. Winchester describes Hunt as “the nicest guy around” and says he never seems to have a bad day.
“I think him being a high-character guy,” Winchester said, “has allowed him to find his way back.”
With an opportunity to do more next week.
The 29-year-old Hunt, who has never appeared in an AFC Championship, will play for a chance at the Super Bowl next week against either the Bills or Ravens.
He said he’s looking forward to the atmosphere. And how fast the game is going to be.
And also one more shot with the Chiefs — something he once thought wouldn’t be possible.
“I feel like I left a lot unsolved before,” Hunt said of his previous Chiefs history. “Now I’m excited to be able to write the rest of this story.”
This story was originally published January 18, 2025 at 10:03 PM with the headline "Why Chiefs’ playoff win was emotional for Kareem Hunt: ‘Like a dream come true again’."
