Chiefs owner Clark Hunt shares how he became comfortable re-signing Kareem Hunt

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – When the Kansas City Chiefs released running back Kareem Hunt in November 2018, a reunion seemed unlikely.

In September, an injury to Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco — and six years of separation from the original release — opened the possibility for a return for the 2017 Chiefs draft pick.

On Tuesday, Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt spoke for the first time on Kareem Hunt’s re-signing, just over a week after the 29-year-old running back played in and rushed for 102 yards in his return to Arrowhead Stadium.

“Going back to six years ago, we were obviously very disappointed by the actions that we saw in that video and how he handled it afterwards,” Clark Hunt said of a video showing Kareem kicking a woman. “As we talked about it as an organization here a few weeks ago both Brett (Veach) and Andy (Reid) expressed to me that they felt confident that he’d matured from that, learned from the mistake and gotten the help he’d needed.
As a result, we felt comfortable bringing him back,” Clark Hunt said.
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Chiefs owner Clark Hunt shares how he became comfortable re-signing

In September, an injury to Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco — and six years of separation from the original release — opened the possibility for a return for the 2017 Chiefs draft pick.

On Tuesday, Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt spoke for the first time on Kareem Hunt’s re-signing, just over a week after the 29-year-old running back played in and rushed for 102 yards in his return to Arrowhead Stadium.

“Going back to six years ago, we were obviously very disappointed by the actions that we saw in that video and how he handled it afterwards,” Clark Hunt said of a video showing Kareem kicking a woman. “As we talked about it as an organization here a few weeks ago both Brett (Veach) and Andy (Reid) expressed to me that they felt confident that he’d matured from that, learned from the mistake and gotten the help he’d needed.

On his touchdown celebration: “That’s why I threw up a heart, to show my love for Kansas City.”
“As a result, we felt comfortable bringing him back,” Clark Hunt said.

Back with Chiefs, Kareem Hunt wants to prove he’s matured, still has something left

When Reid spoke to reporters the week of Hunt’s re-signing, he mentioned a conversation between he and the now-former Cleveland Browns running back which took place at quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ wedding.

“I have (spoken to him),” Clark said Wednesday, during a press conference where he shared details of the Chiefs’ ongoing stadium developments. “(Kareem) expressed to me his gratitude for being back here. He knows it’s a really good fit for him from a career standpoint, knows that he left here under some difficult circumstances and is glad to be back and get to play for our great fans.”

Hunt scored a touchdown in Kansas City’s Week 5 game against the New Orleans Saints. He figures to be Kansas City’s starting running back again Sunday when they take on the San Francisco 49ers in a Super Bowl rematch.

Kansas City’s rushing attack ranks No. 1 in rushing success rate this season. That’s despite the Chiefs offense being 32nd in the NFL in explosive play rate.