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HC Andy Reid Hands Down Harsh Punishment After Rookie Leaves Preseason Game vs Cardinals Early for Not Playing

Kansas City, MO – August 10, 2025 — The Chiefs’ preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals was supposed to be a chance for roster hopefuls to showcase their value. Instead, it ended with head coach Andy Reid issuing a sharp reminder about what it means to wear red and gold.

On Saturday night, an undrafted rookie defensive tackle left the stadium before the game’s conclusion after not seeing the field. The decision caught both teammates and coaches by surprise, leading to immediate disciplinary action.

That player was Coziah Izzard, a rookie out of Penn State who appeared in 51 games (seven starts) over five seasons for the Nittany Lions, compiling 78 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks, and two forced fumbles.

“You don’t walk out on the Red and Gold just because your number wasn’t called. This is a team sport — in Kansas City, commitment comes first. If you can’t stand on the sideline with your brothers, you don’t belong in this locker room,” Reid said postgame.

As a result, Izzard will be suspended for the Chiefs’ remaining two preseason games and will be required to practice in isolation for the rest of the week — with no direct coaching or teammate interaction.

Kansas City signed Izzard as part of its undrafted free agent class, intrigued by his size, strength, and run-stopping potential in the interior. For an undrafted rookie, every preseason rep — even time spent on the sideline — is crucial to building trust.

The decision to leave early now places Izzard on a steeper uphill climb. With a deep defensive line rotation already in place, missing valuable evaluation time could significantly impact his chances of making the final 53-man roster.

With two preseason games left before cutdown day, Reid’s message is clear: in Kansas City, the privilege of wearing the red and gold is earned through commitment, discipline, and standing shoulder to shoulder with your teammates until the final whistle.

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.”