Andy Reid opens Chiefs session with heartfelt message about Jacob Blake, Kenosha unrest
Before taking a question during his 12-minute meeting with reporters Wednesday, Andy Reid made a statement. Not from a script, but from his heart.
It was about Jacob Blake, the 29-year-old Black man who was shot from behind seven times by a police officer in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Sunday. Police were attempting to arrest Blake during a domestic dispute. He was shot as he was leaning into his SUV with his three children in the back seat.
Blake is hospitalized in serious condition
The incident has led to three nights of protests in Kenosha. On Tuesday, the Detroit Lions canceled practice in response to the shooting.
Reid, after listing an injury report, opened his Wednesday news conference thusly:
“Listen, I’m just going to put my two cents in on the Jacobs’ situation,” Reid said. “I think you guys know, I’m into team. I’m into peace and people getting along.
“Right or wrong, we all need to join hands, man, and make this world a better place where we can go into each other’s neighborhoods and be comfortable, and that we appreciate life and how important it is and how hard it is to create life — something that none of us are capable of doing in a test tube.
“It’s a precious thing, man. It’s complicated, it is precious. We need to, at this time, everybody needs to come together and join hands like I said and love each other for what we are, and the privilege that we have in this short period of time that we are on earth, as opposed to walking in fear, to walk with strength and pride and make this country the greatest place ever along with the world. We do that and we’ll be a great example to the world.”
“My heart goes out to Jacob and his family in that situation. I don’t know the whole story. But I hate seeing the way things are going right now, and we’re better than that. Absolutely better than that.”
Reid said the team decided not to cancel practice, like the Lions had.
“One of the great advantages I have here is I have a great locker room that communicates,” Reid said. “I’m able to talk to the guys and get a feel from the guys. There’s obviously a concern, but not to where we needed to do that. We were able to go forward on this.
“But we also understand where things need to go. And we all need to work forward on this...We have great people in this country and we need to bring that part out in us as opposed to the negative and get ourselves right.”
PARTICIPATION REPORT
Safety Armani Watts (illness), rookie wide receiver Maurice Ffrench (knee) and defensive tackle Braxton Hoyett (shoulder) returned to practice Wednesday and participated fully.
The Chiefs practiced without offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele (shoulder), defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi (ankle, rest), rookie defensive end Mike Danna (calf), defensive end Alex Okafor (calf), tight end Deon Yelder (groin), wide receiver Gehrig Dieter (groin), offensive lineman Yasir Durant (head) and linebacker Emmanuel Smith (hamstring).
Offensive lineman Martinas Rankin (knee) continues to work with a trainer while on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
FISHER EYES ALL-PRO STATUS
From being the No. 1 overall pick of the 2013 draft and a Pro Bowl selection in 2018, to becoming a Super Bowl champion in February, left tackle Eric Fisher has checked a few boxes during his career.
Entering his eighth season, Fisher wants to add another accomplishment to his resume.
“If I could find a way to another Pro Bowl or to have my first All-Pro year, that would be something special,” Fisher said Wednesday. “It’s something I’m working for.”
Fisher said he wants to continue building on his current skill-set and not become complacent as one of the AFC’s top blockers and the man responsible for protecting Patrick Mahomes’ blindside.
There’s no doubt Fisher had been a mainstay on the Chiefs’ offensive line before he missed eight games in 2019 while recovering a sports hernia injury. If he stays healthy in 2020, achieving All-Pro status, which arguably carries more significance than a Pro Bowl selection, could be within reach.
OBSERVATIONS
The NFL’s and Chiefs’ media rules during training camp without fans in attendance — fans cannot attend this year because of the pandemic with the exception of the Chiefs’ two season ticket holder events — prohibit the reporting of personnel groupings (first- or second- or third-team units), specific formations/alignments, trick plays, situational plays and statistics.
Still allowed, however, are general observations about head-turning and notable plays:
• Wide receiver Tyreek Hill (hamstring) was in full pads but limited to stretching and conditioning during Wednesday’s practice. Hill eventually left the field before returning without pads to head over to the rehabilitation area, where he lifted weights and worked with a trainer. With two weeks to go until the start of the regular season, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Chiefs continue to take it easy on their speedy receiver.
• Free safety Juan Thornhill’s ramp-up sessions continued Wednesday. He worked in his first 11-on-11 drills since coming off the PUP list last week. The Chiefs had previously limited him to seven-on-seven and nine-on-seven drills. This represents a good sign that Thornhill’s recovery is going well and he appears on track to be ready for the season opener on Sept. 10.
• Second-year cornerback Rashad Fenton projects to be a busy man in the Chiefs’ first four games of the season while Bashaud Breeland serves an NFL suspension. Fenton, who can play inside and outside in the team’s pass defense, has been playing well: He came up with a nice pass breakup against rookie wide receiver Kalija Lipscomb during one-on-one drills Wednesday. The pass, a sideline out-route, appeared as if it would be completed, but Fenton quickly closed and got his hand in to knock the ball away.
• Wednesday marked the final day of media observations for a full practice. The Chiefs shift to a regular-season schedule Thursday, meaning reporters will only be allowed to observe the stretching and individual-drills portions of practice. The Chiefs have just three more days of training camp left. Camp concludes Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium.
After that, the team goes into full preparation mode in advance of the Sept. 10 season opener against the Houston Texans at Arrowhead.
This story was originally published August 26, 2020 at 2:32 PM.
