Chiefs Rookie Gives Up 53-Man Roster Opportunity to Care for Ill Parents
Kansas City, MO — Just days before final cuts, Kansas City Chiefs rookie running back Brashard Smith has decided to step away from the 53-man roster battle to return home and care for his seriously ill parents.
Smith, 22, was the Chiefs’ seventh-round pick (No. 228 overall) in 2025. During the preseason, he recorded 6 carries for 11 yards and added a 26-yard kick/punt return, flashing depth potential behind Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt, and Elijah Mitchell.
Head coach Andy Reid praised the rookie after the game : “Brashard has speed and toughness. He’s the type of player we want to build with.”
Later that day, Smith released a statement —keeping the original message intact, adjusted for the Chiefs:
“Thank you Kansas City Chiefs for the incredible opportunity to chase my NFL dream. But right now, my parents—who sacrificed everything for me—are fighting illness. My father has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and my mother is recovering from breast cancer surgery. I need to be with them. The NFL is a dream, but family is my foundation. Thank you, Chiefs Kingdom, and I hope to be back soon.”
General manager Brett Veach offered support : “Brashard is a young talent with a big heart. We respect his decision to put family first—and the door is always open for his return.”
From a roster standpoint, the move does not significantly disrupt Kansas City’s RB depth—centered on Pacheco–Hunt–Mitchell—but it’s a reminder that football is more than touchdowns and tackles; it’s about human values.
On social media, fans quickly rallied around the hashtag #BrashardStrong . If his family situation stabilizes, Smith could pursue another NFL opportunity in 2026—perhaps even rejoining Kansas City’s practice squad—with his preseason tape already on record.
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