Football fans – the wait is finally over and the 2019 National Football League season is in full swing. All 32 teams have started training camp, and no team has higher expectations than the Kansas City Chiefs. Coming off one of the best seasons in franchise history, the bar has been set high for the Chiefs.
Another bar that has been set high in Kansas City has been the outfits fullback Anthony Sherman has worn coming into camp. It’s safe to say he did not disappoint fans this year.
Anthony Sherman’s anticipated training camp entrance: NASCAR! Got a car and custom suit courtesy of Emporia native Clint Bowyer, and even a police escort! #ChiefsKingdom #kwch12 pic.twitter.com/4gAqtiFxzK
— Matt Henderson (@KWCHMatt) July 26, 2019
Not to be outdone, Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt, kicker Harrison Butker, and long snapper James Winchester made an entrance ready to do battle.
What an entrance… pic.twitter.com/Voz3ibwOm3
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) July 26, 2019
With the departures of Justin Houston, Dee Ford, Eric Berry, and Kareem Hunt no longer on the team, the Chiefs will look different in 2019, but that has not slowed the enthusiasm in Chiefs Kingdom. The team faithful packed in to get a view of their team in record numbers.
#ChiefsKingdom broke the attendance record for non-stadium #ChiefsCamp practices yesterday, and today, they broke the all-time two-day record.
This is the new normal.
— BJ Kissel (@ChiefsReporter) July 28, 2019
Kansas City Chiefs camp notes
Tyreek Hill and Chris Jones
The two top storylines that dominated the Chiefs during the offseason was the Chris Jones hold out and the potential suspension of Tyreek Hill. Both not attending would have been a massive blow to a team looking to improve from the success of last season.
When news came out that Hill would not miss any games, and reports came out that Jones would be in attendance, fans anxiously awaited for their arrival.
As they walked down the path leading to the field, fans gave them both a show of support.
Chris Jones … welcome to Training Camp. #Chiefs pic.twitter.com/1ucpxAY1pl
— Harold R. Kuntz (@HaroldRKuntz3) July 27, 2019
Tyreek Hill … welcome to Training Camp. pic.twitter.com/1Tcud5syNP
— Harold R. Kuntz (@HaroldRKuntz3) July 27, 2019
Talking to the media, Jones made it clear that he was always planning to attend camp. He stated that “its bigger than me” and that “its for those kids” when talking about Special Olympics KC. Jones is a brand ambassador for both Special Olympics KC and Mosaic Life Care, which is a sponsor for the Chiefs training camp.
As for Hill, he talked to the media for the first time since joining the team. He spoke on how he has learned to appreciate those around him and not take them for granted. Hill stated that he is “working every day to be a better father, a better person, a better citizen, a better teammate, and a better son, too.”
Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce
The best quarterback and tight end duo last season was Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and TE Travis Kelce. The chemistry they built on the field was only matched by the tweets we all saw of the two havings fun during the offseason. From attending NCAA Final Fours to making a teammates wedding memorable, the pair were inseparable.
So when camp opened up, you could see the two were definitely happy to see each other.
That moment when Patrick Mahomes sees Travis Kelce… #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/QvvnXOYme3
— Chris Roush (@ChrisRoush_KQ2) July 24, 2019
On the field, they didn’t skip a beat connecting out of the gate with passes we are all too familiar with.
#1 QB ➡️? #1 TE
Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce are already clicking in #ChiefsCamp pic.twitter.com/qRlmtmy57f
— FlurrySports Fantasy (@FlurrySportsFF) July 24, 2019
Mahomes is real-life Madden
There has been no shortage of amazing passes in camp so far as Mahomes seems to be already finding a grove with his weapons. After being short-changed in his Madden rating, Mahomes is out to prove he deserves that 99.
As Terez Paylor of Yahoo Sports said via his Twitter:
Mahomes putting on a show now in St. Joe.
Activated his “Madden” Bazooka X-Factor ability on a long deep ball to Ty Hill that Hill ran under with ease
Then a few plays later he uncorks another Madden ability with a sidearm deep ball in traffic that was caught.
— Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) July 29, 2019
All last season we heard how Mahomes was doing unbelievable things in training camp. It wasn’t until we had a chance to see him during the season that we were able to truly understand how amazing those passes were. Now, with every tweet, we sit with anticipation, hoping to see those plays out in real game action.
One article is not enough to cover all the highlights that have taken place in St. Joe. So come back next week as I highlight the new-look defense and newest additions to the roster.
As for injuries here is a list of Kansas City Chief players and their status:
DE Tim Ward – DNP – Knee – NFI/reserve prior to camp
LB Darius Harris – DNP – Undisclosed – NFI/active prior to camp
CB Bashaud Breeland – DNP – Thumb laceration
S Jordan Lucas – DNP – Hamstring issues
RB Dam. Williams – DNP – Hamstring issues
OL Mitch Schwartz – left early – Back locked up
CB Keith Reaser – left early – Looks like an Achilles tear
WR Gehrig Dieter – missed time – Back spasm