‘Dream come true’: Former Jayhawk hopes to make the most of Chiefs invitation
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - A college football star already knows what it’s like to play at the home of the Kansas City Chiefs, but Jared Casey hopes to be able to feel the excitement again -- this time in the NFL.
The former tight end for the Kansas Jayhawks played four games at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium last season as crews worked on the new Memorial Stadium and Gateway District project in Lawrence.
“It’s kinda come full circle. I mean obviously we played four games here during the season, so just seeing the stadium, seeing the facility and just being able to go out and wear a Chiefs jersey and a Chiefs helmet is kinda just a dream come true,” Casey said.
Casey said Sunday he watched the NFL Draft at home with his family when a came from the Chiefs.
“Hoping and praying a call would come and the Chiefs called and invited me to rookie minicamp. I’m just happy and excited to be here,” Casey said.
“I was hopeful. God can do all things so I was just praying and hopeful that I would get a call and I just hopeful and optimistic that something would come and the Chiefs gave a good call for me. It was a really cool moment for me and my family.”
The former Jayhawk is looking at the invitation as a chance to show the Chiefs and other NFL teams that he has what it takes to play in the league.
“This is a surreal experience and there’s a lot of guys here competing for spots on the team, same as I am,” Casey said.
He said he knows he has a lot of competition if he hopes to make the team, and there’s not a lot of time to make an impression. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said that’s exactly what Casey, and other rookies, will need to do if they hope to be a member of the Chiefs later this year.
“That’s a challenge for them to catch our eye. They’re going about it the right way. Are you going to make the catch? Are you going to make the throw? Are you going to make the adjustment?” Reid said Sunday.
Casey grabbed attention at least once on the field when he made a one-handed catch along the sideline.
“Just kinda excited for myself. Just getting able to make a play. It was on the sideline. It seemed like everyone was just kinda down and tired so it kinda lifted up the offense a little bit and just got everybody going so it was just cool to make a play,” Casey said.
He said he knows what it’s like to be an underdog after walking on at KU and working his way up to a starter. Casey said he plans to do it again in the NFL.
“I’m shorter than most guys. I may not be as big as some guys, but obviously it’s been like that my whole life. I’ve been told that my whole life. I don’t really care what anybody else says I know what I bring to the table, and I truly believe that. My trust and faith in God will take me a long way,” Casey said.
Right now it’s all of the texts and calls from excited fans and friends that are giving him the boost to give it his all for the Chiefs.
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