Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco is no stranger to the big stage and this time, it was the cheers of proud family, friends, and fans as he walked across the stage to receive his college degree from Rutgers University on May 6.
Accustom to the roar of the NFL crowd that had all eyes on him and fresh off two Super Bowl victories in just his first two seasons in the NFL, Pacheco enjoyed a change of pace as he returned to his alma mater to celebrate an entirely different kind of triumph.
He was finishing what he started as a student-athlete and certainly made a statement at the ceremony. Dressed in the traditional cap and gown, he added a personal and flashy touch-his two Super Bowl rings, estimated at around $60,000 total, proudly displayed on his left hand.
“From Super Bowl champ to college grad – Isiah Pacheco came back to finish what he started,” Rutgers posted to X.com, formerly known as Twitter, sharing photos of the running back.
While many admired the rings, others were charmed by the heartfelt simplicity of his look and his decision to bring along two of his most treasured prizes since he hit the NFL scene in 2022.
Pacheco faces Chiefs competition in 2025/56
Despite being a seventh-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, a position often overlooked, Pacheco quickly defied expectations and cemented himself as an integral piece in Andy Reid‘s offense.
He played a crucial role in helping the Chiefs secure back-to-back Super Bowl titles in the 2022 and 2023 seasons and produced combined stats of 1765 rushing yards for 12 touchdowns on 375 carries.
The efforts earned him 24 starts and saw him play key roles in victories over the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers to secure the rings he flashed in New Brunswick.
The 2024 season, however, came with challenges. A leg injury sidelined him for a significant part of the season. Although the 26-year-old returned just in time for the postseason and competed in Super Bowl LIX, where the Chiefs fell to the Philadelphia Eagles, 40-22.
Perhaps with the injury absence on their minds, the Chiefs made sure they picked up a rookie running back, Brashard Smith, in the 2025 NFL Draft meaning Isiah has to competition in the upcoming NFL season.
Smith’s dual-threat abilities as a runner and receiver caught the eye of coaches and fans alike, and he’s determined to make an impact by offering Patrick Mahomes an alternative target to land big plays.
“I’m going to show who I am,” Smith said at a Kansas City Chiefs training camp. “There are not a lot of running backs that have receiving skills and running back skills.
“So I feel like just coming in and I can contribute for sure with my skill set.”
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