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Chiefs Rookie RB Oversleeps and Misses Team Bus — HC Reid Sends Ruthless Wake-Up Call

ST. JOSEPH, MO — The Kansas City Chiefs sent a clear message about discipline during their training camp at Missouri Western State University, cutting rookie running back Brashard Smith on August 8, 2025, after he overslept and missed the team bus for a morning practice. The incident, reported as a violation of the team’s strict accountability standards, led to a swift response from Head Coach Andy Reid, who used the moment to reinforce the organization’s championship-driven culture.

Security personnel noted Smith’s absence when the team bus left at 5:30 a.m. for a scheduled practice session. Despite efforts to reach him, Smith — a seventh-round pick from Miami (FL) — arrived at the facility hours late, admitting he failed to set his alarm. The coaching staff, prioritizing team discipline, held a brief meeting and terminated Smith’s contract by midday. This decisive action underscores the Chiefs’ commitment to fostering a roster ready for a deep postseason run.

Brashard Smith had shown promise in camp, competing for a rotational role behind Isiah Pacheco and offering value as a returner on special teams. However, his lapse in responsibility ended his tenure abruptly. General Manager Brett Veach addressed the situation firmly: “We’re building a team rooted in trust and accountability. A single mistake like this can disrupt our locker room culture. Our decisions are about protecting our goal of winning championships, not coddling potential.”

In a pointed team meeting, Coach Reid delivered a stern warning: “If you can’t get up at 5 a.m., don’t bother chasing the NFL. We’re not here to babysit. We’re here to build a team that wins in January.” His words served as a wake-up call for the entire roster, especially young players vying for spots.

With a championship core led by Patrick Mahomes and lofty Super Bowl aspirations, the Chiefs are emphasizing discipline above all. Smith’s exit sends a resounding message: no player is exempt from the team’s standards. As training camp progresses, every Chief knows that failing to meet expectations — on or off the field — risks a swift departure from the Kingdom.

Vikings Rookie Cut Before Season Retires to Join Military Service
The NFL is often described as the pinnacle of athletic dreams, but for one Minnesota rookie, the path to greatness has taken a turn away from the gridiron and toward a higher calling. After signing as an undrafted free agent in May, the young cornerback fought through training camp and preseason battles, hoping to carve out a roster spot on a Vikings team searching for secondary depth and identity. That player is Zemaiah Vaughn, a standout from the University of Utah who built his name as a long, competitive boundary corner with special-teams upside. Waived in late August, Vaughn stunned teammates and fans by announcing his retirement from professional football and his decision to enlist in the U.S. military, trading a Vikings jersey for a soldier’s uniform. “I lived my NFL dream in Minnesota, but being cut before the season opened another path,” Vaughn said in a statement. “This isn’t the end — it’s a higher calling. Now, I choose to serve my country with the same heart I gave the Vikings.” At 6’3” and 187 pounds, Vaughn brought elite length for a boundary role and made his mark with poise, vision, and leadership. His preseason PFF grade of 65 reflected consistency, though the roster competition proved overwhelming. For the Vikings, the move closes the chapter on a developmental project. For Vaughn, it begins a profound new journey that echoes his reputation as a “hidden gem” — a player who always found ways to rise above. Fans in Minnesota and across the college football community saluted the decision on social media, calling it “the ultimate sacrifice” and “proof that heart is bigger than the game.” Vaughn leaves the NFL, but his next mission may prove even greater.