Many Flagstaff residents talk about how Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid is tied in with Northern Arizona football. But, recently, there鈥檚 been a new connection to the university: Kareem Hunt.
Hunt was selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft by the Chiefs and made a huge impact for the team immediately. In his rookie season, the running back recorded 1,327 total yards and tallied eight touchdowns. He was traded to the Cleveland Browns in 2019 and made his way back to the Chiefs this year.
Eight years later after being drafted, Hunt played in his first Super Bowl in New Orleans on Sunday night. As a result of the Chiefs' lack of offense during the Super Bowl, Hunt only had nine total yards as the Eagles won 40-22.
Before the NFL, Hunt played at the University of Toledo. He produced 4,945 total yards during his time in college.
Hunt described his time at Toledo as an electric atmosphere.
鈥淢y favorite experience was the grind,鈥� Hunt said. 鈥淣obody knew where Toledo was. Everybody who was there worked together and came together as a team. It was a brotherhood there with lots of talent.鈥�
Brian Wright, current head coach for Northern Arizona football, came into the picture during Hunt鈥檚 senior year as Toledo's offensive coordinator. Wright described Hunt as a team player on and off the field who would always put others first.
鈥淜areem was a team guy, first and foremost,鈥� Wright said. 鈥淎 couple of things that really stood out for me was not only was he a great player and a great competitor, I remember often other guys making big plays and Kareem was one of the first ones down in the end zone to celebrate.鈥�
Hunt had nothing but high praises for Wright, who Hunt said helped him become the running back he is today despite being together for only one season.
鈥淏rian Wright has done a great job,鈥� Hunt said. 鈥淗e always helped me and believed in me. My senior year was one of my best seasons there, and I give credit to him for that.鈥�
Terry Swanson, Northern Arizona's running backs coach, was also with Hunt at the time. Wright said it was an incredible duo with Swanson and Hunt at Toledo and that it held a special memory for him all these years later.
鈥淲hat a dynamic backfield we had with Kareem and Swanson,鈥� Wright said. 鈥淲e had a great group there and a great team, a great offense. It was certainly special to be there at that time with all those guys.鈥�
With all smiles, Hunt was ecstatic to hear that Swanson is coaching at Northern Arizona.
鈥淚'm so happy that Terry is coaching right now. He was a heck of a football player with me. He pushed me to be who I was. I have a lot of respect, and I know he鈥檚 a great coach because of how much he loves the game of football,鈥� Hunt said.
Wright said he always is proud watching his college players have success in the NFL.
Hunt is no different.