Chiefs Rookie WR Gets a Meet-and-Greet Organized by His Mother Despite Not Having Played a Single Snap for the Team

KANSAS CITY, MO — On a quiet Sunday evening, a community room a few blocks from Arrowhead lit up in red and gold. No sponsor banners—just a low stage, a few rows of folding chairs, an autograph table, and a line of No. 31 jerseys waiting for signatures. The person who arranged it all was the mother of Jeffrey Bassa—the Kansas City Chiefs’ rookie linebacker, a 2025 fifth-round pick (No. 156). Even though Bassa hasn’t logged a defensive snap in the NFL yet, she wanted “to give him a proper introduction—among the people who believe in him most.”

“You may not have seen him on TV yet, but I’ve watched him for 23 years,” she said, clutching the jersey. “My son is this team’s HIDDEN GEM. He deserves a chance—and when it comes, he’ll grab it with both hands.”

The meet-and-greet ran a little over an hour: photos, jersey signings, and a short Q&A. On the display table sat a film-room notebook from his Oregon days, a few snapshots from the stretch when Bassa wore the “green dot” to call the Ducks’ defense, and a faded wristband. “He doesn’t skip days at the gym. From the way he reads coverage concepts to the angles he takes into tackles—he belongs at this level,” she said.

A team media staffer  offered a brief comment afterward: “We appreciate the family’s love and support. Personnel decisions come down to tactical needs and practice performance—and Bassa is trending in the right direction.”

Online reactions were mixed. Some argued that holding a meet-and-greet with no defensive snaps yet felt “a bit early.” His mother smiled and answered right into the mic:

“I’m not here to demand playing time for my son. I’m here to remind him—and everyone—that dreams don’t wait until your name is called on television. Dreams begin the day you dare to believe you’re good enough.”

Bassa kept it brief before slipping backstage: “I’ll let the work speak for itself.”

Quick scouting note: A former safety converted to linebacker, Bassa brings a strong coverage foundation, high defensive IQ, and day-one special-teams value. His Oregon résumé shows steadiness (236 tackles, 13.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks, 3 INT)—the profile of a hidden gem as he works into sub-packages.