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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 linebackera 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.

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Eagles Star CB Faces Family Tragedy After Week 5 Game as Military-Trained Skydiving Instructor Dies in Nashville
Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Cooper DeJean is mourning a profound personal loss following the team’s Week 5 game , as his cousin Justin Fuller a respected military-trained skydiving instructor, died in a tragic tandem jump accident near Nashville.   Fuller, 35, was fatally injured after becoming separated from his parachute harness mid-air during a jump organized by Go Skydive Nashville. His student survived after landing in a tree with the parachute deployed and was later rescued by firefighters. Police confirmed Fuller’s body was recovered in a wooded area off Ashland City Highway. The Nashville Fire Department called it “one of the most complex high-angle rescues in recent years,” commending its personnel for the effort. Justin Fuller, known by the nickname "Spidey," died after a tandem skydiving jump went wrong on Oct. 4, 2025, near Nashville, Tennessee.  (Facebook/Justin Fuller Spidey ) Fuller, known affectionately as “Spidey,” had completed more than 5,000 jumps and trained U.S. military personnel in advanced aerial maneuvers. Friends described him as “fearless, focused, and committed to lifting others higher — both in life and in the air.”   DeJean —whose mother is the younger sister of Fuller’s mother, grew up admiring his cousin’s discipline and sense of purpose. Family members say that influence helped shape his mental toughness and leadership on the field. A relative told local media, “Justin taught Dejean that strength isn’t about being unbreakable — it’s about standing firm when life hits hardest. That’s exactly how he lives and plays today.” In the Eagles’ defensive system, DeJean has steadily earned complete trust thanks to his versatility — working outside at corner, in the slot (nickel), and on coverage units — and standing out for top-end speed, precise tackling angles, and the ability to read quarterbacks. Coaches describe him as “calm, wise beyond his years, and disciplined at the catch point,” consistently maintaining leverage and finishing clean in tight spaces. Through the first five games of 2025, DeJean has played every defensive snap and totaled 36 tackles (26 solo) with five passes defensed, reinforcing his value on the perimeter and inside.  The Philadelphia Eagles have provided time and private support for DeJean and his family, ensuring he can grieve without team-related obligations. Teammates have stood beside him, honoring both his resilience and his family’s tradition of service. An FAA investigation into the accident is underway, while tributes to “Spidey” continue to pour in across social media from military colleagues, fellow skydivers, and fans nationwide.“He taught others to fly — now he flies higher than all of us,” one tribute read. DeJean kept his public remarks brief before being embraced by teammates:“He taught me not to fear the height — only the moment you forget to look down and pull someone else up with you. This week, I’m playing for him.”