Logo

They Said He Was Just a Seventh-Rounder – Now The Underdog Silences All the Doubters on the Chiefs’ Path to Super Bowl 2026

Nobody expected much from a seventh-round pick. Isiah Pacheco arrived in Kansas City as an afterthought—a name on the draft board few noticed, a running back with a chip on his shoulder and fire in his eyes. Fast-forward to 2025, and the undrafted spirit in him has taken center stage. Now, he’s not just running for first downs—he’s running to prove a point.

When the Chiefs selected Pacheco out of Rutgers in the final round of the 2022 NFL Draft, the doubters wasted no time. Too wild, too raw, too small for an every-down back in the NFL. Even after a rookie season filled with flashes of speed and fearless runs, questions lingered: Was he built for the grind? Could he last?

By the time the 2024 season ended, Pacheco had already changed the conversation. He had become the spark of Kansas City’s offense, carrying the ball with ferocity and refusing to be tackled by more than one man. In the playoffs, his bruising runs and relentless energy set the tone for a Chiefs team hungry for another championship.

This offseason, as the Chiefs gear up for their 2026 Super Bowl run, Pacheco posted on social media:
“People said I’d never be the lead back in the NFL. I just kept running. Only time will tell who’s right.”

The message resonated—not just with fans, but with teammates who saw his growth firsthand. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes praised Pacheco as “the heart of our offense,” while coach Andy Reid called him “the engine that never quits.”

Behind the stats is a story of grit. Pacheco’s journey from backup to bell cow is one of sheer willpower and resilience. He’s taken every hit—on and off the field—and channeled it into something greater, refusing to let the “seventh-round” tag define his legacy.

The doubters may have written him off. But now, with Super Bowl 2026 in sight, Isiah Pacheco is letting his play—and his spirit—do the talking.

Who do you believe is the next great underdog in the NFL? Has a player’s journey ever changed your perspective on what it means to succeed? Let us know in the comments!

Chiefs Fan-Favourite WR Faces Family Tragedy After Week 5 Game as Military-Trained Skydiving Instructor Dies in Nashville
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is mourning a devastating personal loss following the team’s Week 5 matchup, 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.” Rice, who grew up admiring his cousin’s discipline and sense of purpose, has long credited that example with shaping his mental toughness and leadership on the field. A relative told local media, “Justin taught Rashee that strength isn’t being unbreakable — it’s standing firm when life hits hardest. That’s exactly how Rashee lives and plays today.” As a featured target in the Chiefs’ offense, Rice has earned complete trust for his short-to-intermediate separation, yards-after-catch power (YAC), and chemistry with quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Coaches describe him as “calm, focused, and mature beyond his years,” a disciplined route-runner who finds tight windows in the red zone. Through Week 5 of the 2025 season, Rice has no registered game statistics as he serves a league-issued six-game suspension to start the regular season; major stat services list no 2025 game logs to date.  The Kansas City Chiefs have provided time and private support for Rice 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. The FAA is investigating the incident, while messages commemorating “Spidey” continue to spread nationwide.“He taught others to fly — now he flies higher than all of us,” one tribute read. Rice kept his public remarks brief before leaving in the embrace of teammates:“Spidey always told 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.”