What Eric Bieniemy told KC Chiefs running back Derrick Gore to keep his fire burning
Running back Derrick Gore ran like he was making up for lost time in the Chiefs’ home victory over the New York Giants on Monday night.
In a way, he was.
Gore finished college at Louisiana-Monroe in 2018. He appeared in his first NFL game three weeks ago, when the Chiefs visited Washington, and got his first NFL rushing attempt against the Giants.
Career rushing attempt No. 9 resulted in a 3-yard touchdown run, the high point of Gore’s 48-yard performance Monday.
“It meant a lot honestly — I can’t put it into words,” he said. “I was filled with emotions, knowing how long it took for me to get to this point.”
Gore’s mother and grandparents attended the game at Arrowhead Stadium.
“My mom dropped a few tears, knowing how long it took for me to get here,” Gore said.
Gore is from Syracuse, N.Y. He said there were no scholarship offers out of high school, so he walked on at Alabama, spending two years there. Gore was part of the Crimson Tide’s national-title team in 2015 and appeared in nine games over two seasons.
Gore saw more action in the Sun Belt Conference, rushing for 1,355 yards and 13 touchdowns in two seasons. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Chargers and was signed and released four times. He also was part of Washington’s practice squad.
The Chiefs signed Gore in February to fortify their depth at the position. He was solid in the preseason, racking up a team-best 86 yards rushing and 82 receiving in parts of three games. But once the Chiefs’ three-deep out of camp was set, it consisted of Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Darrel Williams and Jerick McKinnon.
Once again, Gore was assigned to a practice squad.
He got the call that he’s be activated after Edwards-Helaire suffered an MCL sprain in the Chiefs’ loss to the Buffalo Bills on Oct. 10. Against Washington, Gore’s 10 snaps were all on special teams.
A week later, Gore had a 7-yard reception in a loss to the Tennessee Titans — his first NFL yardage Then came the Giants game. He went for 10 yards and a first down on his first rushing attempt, but the heavier workload came later in the first half.
The game was tied 7-7 when the Chiefs took over at their own 32-yard line. A Patrick Mahomes completion to Tyreek Hill moved them to the Giants’ 33, and from there it was all Gore and the KC offensive line.
The next five plays were runs by Gore of 9, 7, 5 and 9 yards, plus the 3-yard touchdown.
Gore said he had no idea he was going to play as much as he did.
“They told me I was going to get throw in there, but I didn’t expect for me to play that much,” he said. “I kind of just caught a rhythm.”
Gore kept looking at the sideline as the Chiefs marched down the field, but there was no substitution coming.
“I knew I’d get a couple of carries, and once I saw they were leaving me out there, I was like, ‘It’s time to roll,” he said.
After the game, Gore remembered something offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy had told him when he wasn’t kept on the initial 53-man roster.
“He said eventually I would help this team win some football games,” Gore said.
That started on Monday.