The NFL regular season officially began Thursday night, when the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the New England Patriots 42-27. The Chiefs entered the game as a nine-point underdog.
Despite coming out with a remarkable victory, the Chiefs have a lot to worry about. Eric Berry, Kansas City’s starting safety, went down with 4:56 left in the fourth quarter with an apparent Achilles injury. After further evaluation, it seems that the star has a ruptured Achilles. This isn’t a first for Berry, as he tore his Achilles back in 2011.
With the injury confirmed by head coach Andty Reid, Berry’s season is officially over. He is coming off a season in which he had 77 total tackles, 4 interceptions, 2 touchdowns, and a forced fumble. Berry also made a fifth pro bowl as well as a second first team all-pro.
On November 22nd, 2014, Berry discovered an unusual mass in his chest. Later that year, on December 8th, he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Luckily, on June 22nd, 2015, he discovered he was cancer free, after many treatments.
Through his courage and determination, Berry would play in his first professional football game in nearly eight months on August 15th. Later that season, Berry would win comeback player of the year and make his fourth pro bowl and his first all-pro team.
Berry was not the only Chief who had to be taken out of the game. Wide receiver/running back Tyreek Hill exited the game with cramps, and star cornerback Marcus Peters exited the game on concussion protocol. Defensive linemen Allen Bailey also suffered a shoulder injury.
On the other side of the ball, Patriots’ star linebacker, Donta Hightower, was ruled out of the game with an apparent knee injury. Wide receiver Danny Amendola also exited the game with a head injury, something all too familiar for the wideout.
All victories come at a cost and for the Chiefs, last night was no exception. Fortunately, they have over a week to rest up before their next game, the home-opener against Philadelphia.
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featured image courtesy of the Kansas City Chiefs and chiefs.com