Chiefs’ James Winchester is expected to play Sunday against Tampa Bay
On Saturday morning, Chiefs long snapper James Winchester buried his father, Michael Winchester, who was killed in a shooting Tuesday at Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City.
But he did not have to do it alone.
Not only did friends and family attend the funeral services in Purcell, Okla., but Chiefs general manager John Dorsey did as well, according to a tweet from Winchester’s agent, Ken Sarnoff.
It says so much about the @Chiefs that GM John Dorsey is here in Oklahoma to support @J_Winchester41 the day before a game. #ChiefsKingdom
— Ken Sarnoff (@KenSarnoff) November 19, 2016
Winchester missed all three practices this week while he and teammates grieved his father’s death. However, he is expected to return to Kansas City in time to play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, which he will do in honor of his father.
Special teams coach Dave Toub said earlier this week that tight end Travis Kelce would be the starting long snapper if Winchester did not return in time. Fullback Anthony Sherman also got some work as a snapper in practice.
The funeral service Saturday was also attended by former Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer, who coached Michael in the mid-80s when he was a punter there.
Anyone looking to donate to the Michael Winchester Memorial Fund can do so here.
Terez A. Paylor: 816-234-4489, @TerezPaylor. Download Red Zone Extra, The Star's Chiefs app.
This story was originally published November 19, 2016 at 2:32 PM with the headline "Chiefs’ James Winchester is expected to play Sunday against Tampa Bay."