RB Kareem Hunt (1.14.21)
RB Kareem Hunt:
On his emotions going back to Kansas City this week:
“It is going to be high. I get to go back and see the people who brought me into the league and see the guys I got to play with and come in with.”
On what continued support from the Chiefs has meant to him, including Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and Chiefs TE Travis Kelce:
“It has been great. Those guys have always been in my corner. I still talk to them a lot to this day. I could not ask for better people and friends, and I consider them family. That is good people right there. I consider them real to me.”
On being in the postseason with his hometown Cleveland Browns with a chance to advance in the season and get closer to the Super Bowl, particularly given his former team of the Chiefs won the Super Bowl last year:
“Like I said, that is motivation right there. Being able to go out here and work for my hometown and the Cleveland Browns and be in this position to have a shot so late into the season to bring a ring home, like you said, it would mean more than anything to me. It is just another week. I want to help bring a change in culture around here, and that is get a ring. My biggest goal coming into the NFL was to win a Super Bowl before I retire. That has been my goal. I never had the chance to win a national title in college or anything like that so the Super Bowl has been on my mind since I got drafted to Kansas City. They were able to get that goal, which they deserve. That is a good program over there, a good football team and good people.”
On how often he keeps in touch with his high school coaches Matt Duffy and Matt Luck:
“At least once or twice a week I have to touch base with those guys. They have been in my corner before anyone knew who little ol’ Kareem Hunt was. I can’t ask for more from them. They have always been there. I always have to stay in touch with those two.”
On how he has been able to get his life and career back on track since joining the Browns:
“They believed in me. They gave me an opportunity and a chance. I would like to thank the Haslams for sure for bringing me in with welcome arms. Honestly, it has been a journey. I missed eight games last year. I was not able to help for a Super Bowl run or anything like that. I was not available. This year, I wanted to make sure I do whatever I can to help this team turn it around. That is all I can do.”
On what his emotions will be like when taking the field on Sunday at Kansas City:
“They are definitely going to be high, but I am still going to keep my head level and just play football. There are definitely going to be some emotions, but it is football to me.”
On who has helped him turn his life and career around the most and if it is primarily family, teammates or others:
“There are a bunch of people, definitely family and teammates just being in my corner. It is a lot of people.”
On if he will talk to Reid before or after Sunday’s game:
“Yeah, most definitely. Coach Reid cares a lot about me, and he has always been a great coach to me and person. He looks beyond football.”
On explaining his postgame comments that ‘next week is personal’:
“I just mean it is a big game. I came in with guys over there. Bragging rights. Travis (Kelce), Pat and all of those guys, we are buddies. This is my first time playing against some of my best friends in the NFL. It is definitely going to be for bragging rights and stuff like that for the long run with my guys.”
On if he has talked or texted with Kelce and Mahomes this week:
“We have been talking for sure. Those are my guys. We definitely have talked a little bit before this week. I am excited that I get to see them in action and they get to see me in action. May the best man win.”
On RB Nick Chubb saying he predicted a Browns-Chiefs playoff matchup throughout the season and how he knew it would ultimately occur:
“Honestly, I believed. I knew with the players and the coaches we have, I just believed that we can definitely make a run. I kept telling Nick that I have a feeling we are going to see them in the playoffs. I knew they were going to make it to the playoffs – that is a terrific program over there. I just kept telling Nick early in the season, ‘We have to make it to the playoffs and we have to make a run for it, and I have a feeling we are going to see the Chiefs in the Divisional Round or in [the playoffs].’”
On where will he find the motivation for ‘angry runs’ this week when playing former teammates and friends with the Chiefs:
“I automatically play with anger so I am going to find it. You do not have to worry about where I am going to find it, but we will find it.”
On if he plays with that type of emotion every week:
“Yeah, I play with a lot of emotion, but this will probably be a little bit more.”
On if he keeps in touch with former Browns General Manager John Dorsey and if he is upset he did not receive a second opportunity with the Chiefs:
“I definitely hear from John Dorsey. He is another person who has been in my corner and gave me two opportunities honestly – he drafted me and brought me back to Cleveland. I would not say that I am mad. It is just a learning point of my life. It is what it is. Now, I am back home in Cleveland. God has a plan for me, and it is obviously is to be here.”
On the Chiefs run defense and if he knew Chiefs LB Anthony Hitchens growing up:
“Yeah, he is from Lorain. We are from like the same city. Yeah, I know of him. Those guys play hard and fast. They definitely have some great playmakers on that side of the ball. We are going to have to come ready to play.”
On if he felt like he had a something to prove to the Browns organization and teammates last season when joining the team:
“Most definitely, but being around people and getting to know me, it kind of was easy. You have to prove it to everybody.”
On the team’s mindset facing the defending Super Bowl champions in another game where people outside of the building do not necessarily expect the Browns to win:
“Our mindset is the exact same. We can play with anybody. We [are playing] a great team, but it does not matter as long as everybody in this building believes that we can win and we really do not care what anybody else has to say. They can keep their opinions to themselves.”
On Chiefs WR Sammy Watkins recent tweet in response to competition with the Browns:
“We will just see them Sunday. We will let the play do the talking. There is nothing else to be said. If he believes that, we will see what he thinks after the game.”
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