Loyalty is one of the most important aspects in any sport. It’s one of the best aspects any team or athlete could possess, and it helps fans to believe in their vision. However, sometimes it’s hard for a team to stay loyal to someone when they’re incriminated. That’s something that Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs found out when it came to Kareem Hunt.
Hunt was involved in a major scandal in 2018 after TMZ revealed a video of him to the public. The video showed him assaulting a woman inside a Cleveland hotel that year. The fans and his team turned their backs on the running back, and rightfully so. Even though he wasn’t arrested for his actions, the Chiefs dropped him from their team.
However, it seems that Kareem Hunt has since turned over a new leaf, according to Patrick Mahomes. In a controversial decision that many criticized, the Chiefs re-signed him in September 2024. While Mahomes usually isn’t the most vocal player on the field, he made the call to support his teammate.
Why Mahomes Still Has Kareem Hunt’s Back Years After The Chiefs Let Him Go
It’s often debated amongst the NFL circle and fans alike whether it was the right call to not ban Kareem Hunt from the sport. However, Hunt remained a remarkable talent, even after being dropped from the team. He was picked up by the Cleveland Browns instead, where he played for three seasons.
Regardless of what your feelings might be about Hunt, his teammate, Mahomes chose to be there for him. In ESPN’s new docuseries The Kingdom, the Chiefs’ star quarterback discussed the 2018 hotel scandal in the second episode. Mahomes openly stated that he doesn’t think that Hunt is a bad person.
“What he did was wrong, but I know in his heart he isn’t a bad person… It’s how you can become better and learn from them. I think that’s something that he embraced. He wasn’t going to let that one bad decision define who he is as a person.”
Even though it’s hard for anyone to completely forget about Hunt’s missteps, he remains genuinely remorseful about his actions. The former Browns star’ opened up in the docuseries about wishing he could go back in time and handle things differently. While things can’t change anymore, perhaps Hunt can continue to do enough to win everyone’s trust back since he seems to have done it with the Chiefs.
Forgiveness In The NFL Isn’t Always Public, But Mahomes Just Made His Clear
The NFL has a strict code against any abuse, however some felt that they were being lenient with Kareem Hunt. Even though, they suspended him for the first eight games of the 2019 season, he was back once again in Week 10 with the Cleveland Browns. However, it’s clear that Hunt has worked a long way to earn his place once again.
It seems like Mahomes recognizes his efforts and has openly forgiven him for his transgressions. The Kansas City Chiefs has once again accepted their running back and expect him to flourish once again. Hunt signed a one-year contract extention worth up to $2.5 million in March to replace Isaiah Pacheko, after he was injured.
Mahomes is happy and proud of how far his teammate has come once again. Loyalty isn’t always easy but if the person is worth it, then we’ve been taught a lesson from the quarterback. It’s up to Hunt now to make the most of his second chance with the Chiefs.
Published: Aug 18, 2025 04:33 pm