KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The majority of elite athletes are inspired by something greater than themselves.
Their motivation may stem from a variety of sources, including money, fame, disrespect, upbringing, family, and survival.
Isiah Pacheco’s motivation is as clear as it is indestructible.
The 23-year-old rookie rushing back for the Kansas City Chiefs arrived in Kansas City for Sunday’s AFC Championship game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Arrowhead Stadium by way of rural Vineland, New Jersey, and Rutgers.
Pacheco’s South Jersey high school years were eternally marred by the murders of his brother and sister, which occurred within less than two years of one other. These awful occurrences motivated Pacheco to relentlessly pursue greatness.
Everyone is familiar with the Chiefs because of quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Then why not? This season, the perennial favorite for NFL MVP has produced 45 touchdowns (41 passing and four rushing) and thrown for 5,250 yards.
As Mahomes performs, so do the Chiefs.
Pacheco, a 5-foot-11, 215-pound can of whoopass who keeps opposing teams honest and stops them from focusing solely on Mahomes, should not be underestimated.
Pacheco has never been more valuable to the Chiefs than he will be on Sunday, since Mahomes is anticipated to be at least slightly limited by the high ankle injury he suffered in last week’s playoff victory over Jacksonville.
Pacheco went from a seventh-round draft pick project out of Rutgers to the Chiefs’ No. 1 running back, leading the team in rushing yards with 830, an average of 4.9 yards per carry, and five touchdowns.
Pacheco’s accomplishments do not surprise those who know him best, beginning with Greg Schiano, his former Rutgers head coach.
Schiano told The Post, “I don’t think anyone could have predicted that he would be this successful so quickly, but I told every scout who came to Rutgers to see him, ‘He’s the hardest practice player I’ve ever coached.’” “I am overjoyed for him and his family. He has earned every cent of it. He has overcome much. He had a challenging background. There was a lot of affection, but also a lot of trauma.
“He witnessed awful events. But he’s defeated. There are individuals who love and care for him, but he also has a lengthy past. I am so happy for him. He has earned this. It is quite cool.”
Travoise, the older brother of Pacheco, was fatally murdered on January 10, 2016 in Bridgeton, New Jersey, at the age of 29.
Then, on September 20, 2017, his sister Celeste was discovered shot to death in her Millville residence. The murderer was a man she had a child with.
Pacheco stated in a 2019 interview with NJ.com that his sister was “like a best friend” and reminisced on his brother’s passing.
“My brother would be shocked to see me here,” he stated. “As a child, Dad urged me to play football, but he never got to watch me play. Having the opportunity to play baseball allows me to forget about the recent tragedy. It motivates me to work harder.”
Pacheco’s arms are covered in tattoos paying tribute to his brother and sister.
He stated, “I play football for them.”
Andy Reid, the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, has also endured unimaginable family tragedy, with one of his sons dying of an accidental drug overdose and another serving time in prison for seriously injuring a young girl in an alcohol-related car accident. He is ecstatic that Pacheco is playing for the Chiefs.
In the Chiefs’ divisional playoff victory over the Jaguars, Pacheco carried for 95 yards on 12 attempts and relieved Mahomes of a great deal of pressure. He is crucial to Kansas City’s ability to win and go to the Super Bowl.
Pacheco told reporters last week, “I’ve been waiting for this moment my entire life.”
“He is so physically gifted,” said Mahomes. It is difficult for defenses to accommodate for his powerful running style.
Jay Butler, Schiano’s strength and conditioning coach at Rutgers, stated that he has never seen a player enjoy the hard work behind the scenes as much as Pacheco did while playing for the Scarlet Knights.
“There’s no doubt about it; he loves football,” Butler told The Post. “His passion stems from the entirety of his family situation. When I’ve spoken with him, he’s stated, “That’s why I always go hard. I must exert myself every day.’
Given what he’s been through and how hard he’s worked, he deserves success more than anyone else.
Pacheco attended his sister’s funeral in the morning of September 29, 2017 and then rushed for 157 yards and three touchdowns in Vineland High’s 60-6 victory over Cumberland Regional in the evening, demonstrating his tenacity and mental strength.
On September 23, 2017, three days after his sister’s death, he rushed for 222 yards and a touchdown to lead Vineland to a 42-6 victory over Egg Harbor Township.
Schiano stated, “He is ultimately highly motivated to achieve greatness.” “His future is promising. I cannot wait to observe his growth.”
Schiano’s repeated message to Pacheco in their numerous chats about playing in the NFL was that “a lot of guys get there, get to training camps, but it’s about staying there, making a career.”
Unless he suffers an injury, Pacheco is likely to remain in Kansas City.
Schiano stated, “I was grateful to Andy and the Chiefs for selecting him.”
Certainly not as thankful as Reid and the Chiefs are for his presence.
»Terrible deaths of Isiah Pacheco’s deceased siblings motivate him to achieve greatness«