Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco made an immediate impact in his first NFL season, becoming the team’s starter. The Rutgers Scarlet Knight brought tough running and productive late-game moments to contribute to the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVII victory.
Pacheco recently teamed up with USAA to appear in its NFL Draft Salute to Service special event for an exclusive chalk talk with military members, veterans, and their families. Chiefs legend and all-time leading tackler Derrick Johnson joined Pacheco as they spoke with local military from Whiteman Air Force Base and Fort Leavenworth at Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que.
Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. recently sat down with Pacheco to talk about his work with the USAA and how last year’s NFL draft has influenced him as a pro player.
“I’m glad me and Derrick Johnson are teaming up today to speak to the veterans that served his country,” said Pacheco. “I want to thank them for their service. Because without doing what they did, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do today.”
Who’s ready for the 2023 #NFLDraft? Honored to be participate in @USAA’s chalk talk speaking with #Military members from @whitemanairforcebase & @fortleavenworth while enjoying some Kansas City BBQ! Thank you to all our armed forces for your service &sacrifice. #SaluteToService pic.twitter.com/sVL52lUoM7
— Isiah Pacheco (@isiah_pachecoRB) April 27, 2023
The conversation included stories about their unique draft day memories and connecting with the military members. Johnson’s experience growing up as the son of a Vietnam War veteran was also discussed, while Pacheco shared exclusively with Chiefs Wire some information about his draft day a year ago.
“It was a big day for me one year ago, at the same moment because all my family and friends, my grandparents and my teachers, were all waiting on that one moment to hear my name get called,” Pacheco said. “What made it even better it was towards the end. It sounds bad, but it sounds pretty. Pretty cool at the end (at pick No. 251) and then you know the story.”
Ahead of the #NFLDraft today in Kansas City, we’re hosting service members from @Whiteman_AFB and @FortLeavenworth at our #ChalkTalk with @NFL stars @Isiah_PachecoRB and @superdj56! #SaluteToService pic.twitter.com/RnuuheAYvH
— USAA (@USAA) April 27, 2023
Pacheco was selected in the seventh round but immediately became an impact player for the Chiefs. He turned heads around the league and used his late draft selection as fuel from that day on.
“Yes, sir. I use that as fuel. Going in the seventh round, (I’ll) always have a chip on my shoulder. Why? So late or why? You know, the position I was in, but I didn’t question it,” said Pacheco. “You know, I just kept my head down, and I blocked out the negative energy and stuck to the script and stayed on task, and that was finding the edge to compete against the older guys and picking their brain, so they could teach me the business side of the program.”
The Chiefs found a diamond in the rough in Pacheco, who continues to improve with every game. A year ago, the team found a way to get better with a player that is constantly focused on improvement.
