Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes of Kansas City Chiefs (Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
A heartwarming story has surfaced about how a former crime boss and ex-convict turned his life around and served as inspiration for the Kansas City Chiefs this past offseason.

Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs were humiliated 40-22 by the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 59, a sour end to their bid for the first Super Bowl three-peat. Mahomes threw two interceptions (including a game-changing pick-six to Cooper DeJean), lost a fumble and was sacked six times in the loss.

Chiefs players are humans like the rest of us, and it’s natural to need support and motivation from external resources following a loss as crushing as Super Bowl 59. So this past offseason, head coach Andy Reid brought in a renowned motivational speaker to inspire his team ahead of 2025.

Damon West, a former crime boss, meth addict and leader of a burglary ring, spent seven years in prison before being released in November 2015. He has made the most of his second chance, becoming a keynote speaker, bestselling author and college professor.

As detailed by Daniel Matthews of the Daily Mail, Andy Reid reached out to West and asked him to speak to his players. West delivered the heartwarming and inspiring message the team needed to hear before beginning the quest for another Super Bowl:

“He spoke to the Chiefs for around 45 minutes – no props, no presentation. ‘You have an incredible story,’ (tight end Travis) Kelce later told him. ‘I got a lot out of it.’ Many other players echoed those thoughts. ‘(They) really absorbed the message of the coffee bean.’

Over 12 hours with the Chiefs, he watched practice, ate with the team and talked them through his journey. ‘One of the greatest honors I’ve ever had,’ West says.

Reid offered to put him in touch with every other coach in the NFL. He also allowed the ex-quarterback to sit in on an offensive meeting. Then? ‘Travis Kelce came up to me,’ West says. ‘We’re all going to watch ‘Happy Gilmore 2,’ the tight end explained. Kelce had a cameo role and it was a day before the movie premiered. ‘Do you want to stay and watch?’ he asked.

West jumped at the chance. So did every player and every member of Chiefs staff. ‘I don’t know that I’ll ever see another moment like that again,’ he says.”

Another reminder that it’s not how you start, but how you finish.

Kansas City Chiefs Get A Shot At Revenge On Sunday

Patrick Mahomes throws a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles (Credit: Stephen Lew/Imagn Images)

The Kansas City Chiefs fell 27-21 to the AFC West rival Los Angeles Chargers in their season opener on Friday. Looking to avoid a disastrous 0-2 start, they’ll have to clean some things up if they’re to emerge victorious against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.

It’s been seven long months since the Chiefs last played the Eagles, but they get the chance to get the ultimate revenge at Arrowhead Stadium when Jalen Hurts and company come to town on Sunday (4:25 p.m. EST) in a marquee matchup.

Mahomes is 2-2 against Hurts, with each side claiming one Super Bowl victory plus a regular-season win in the other’s barn (Mahomes won at Philly in 2021, Hurts won at Kansas City in 2022).

If the Chiefs can secure a victory against Philadelphia, it’ll go a long way toward strengthening their confidence for another Super Bowl run.