Chiefs Abruptly Part Ways With RB Kareem Hunt After Violent Altercation

Kareem Hunt
Former Kansas City Chiefs Running Back Kareem Hunt. Photo Credit: Jack Kurzenknabe - Under Creative Commons License

Chiefs Abruptly Part Ways With RB Kareem Hunt After Violent Altercation

The Kansas City Chiefs moved quickly to part ways with their star running back Kareem Hunt. The abrupt decision came after TMZ posted a shocking video of Hunt allegedly pushing and kicking a young woman. At the time of the incident, a young 19-year-old woman told Cleveland police Hunt became aggressive after she purportedly refused to hook up with one of his friends.

Things became physical according to Hunt’s friends after she was asked to leave by Hunt. And she became belligerent, by calling him the N-word.

A surveillance camera captured the violent scuffle in February but surfaced today sending shock reverberating throughout the NFL. It happened at the Metropolitan at the 9 hotel in Cleveland, Ohio at 3:22 AM on February 10, 2018.

The NFL and the Chiefs were aware of the incident but had not seen the video. NFL launched an investigation, but it was inconclusive due to the hotel’s refusal to release the video. After the video surfaced, the NFL placed Hunt on the Commissioner Exempt List, which means a player is considered to be on paid leave and does not count against the 53-man roster; the team is without his services until Roger Goodell removes him from the list, and the player misses only practices and games during that time.

The team cut Hunt shortly after learning he had been being untruthful surrounding the details of the event. Chiefs management stated the video proved Hunt gave a different account of what happened.

A Quick End To A Bright And Solid Future

Kareem Hunt’s journey to the NFL was a long road by him working his way up from South High School in Willoughby, Ohio. The Chiefs second-year running back enjoyed a successful career at the University Of Toledo. The Chiefs drafted Hunt 86th overall in the third round of the 2017 draft.

It took only a few seconds for him to extinguish his hard work along with a successful and lucrative future, from his egregious behavior. He could have been the adult inside and outside the room by walking away.

Hunt’s temperament was a bad look, and he placed the Chiefs or anyone who tries to defend him by being deceptive. Not telling the truth is what got him released from the Chiefs. He cannot blame anyone other than himself for his self-inflicted misfortune.

Hunt along with other alleged athletes who use violence against women seem to think they are invincible on and off the field. Hunt has since apologized for his actions. His statement read “I want to apologize for my actions. I deeply regret what I did. I hope to move on from this.”

A Career And Destiny On Hold

Ex-Chiefs RB Kareem Hunt’s future is in the hands of the NFL commissioner to determine whether he deserves to play football again. He does not control his professional football destiny anymore! If he is cleared to return he will be on a short leash to rebuild a once-promising career. The old saying is “it’s hard to appreciate your blessings until you lost them.” Hunt went from a typical day practicing for a Sunday NFL game to an uncertain future without any guarantee.

Gone for now are potential opportunities for a big payday, endorsements, and personal enrichment. There is a chance Kareem Hunt may receive a second chance for redemption. Another NFL team could weigh the plus-minus risk assessment and offer him a chance to play again, but with the video evidence, this happening is not as likely.

An All-Pro Year In 2018?

Hunt finished the 2018 season with the Chiefs with 181 rushing for 824 yards for seven touchdowns. His receiving yards are 26 receptions for 378 yards. Hunt’s career is 453 rush for 2,151 yards and 15 TD’s.

The Kansas City Chiefs have moved on and now feature RB Spencer Ware as their starting running back. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid will continue to lead his team marching towards the playoffs and a Super Bowl. And the Chiefs Kingdom will look ahead, for their quest to recapture a Lombardi Trophy.