The Kansas City Chiefs moved on from Eric Berry on Wednesday, releasing him to get younger in the secondary and free up salary cap space. It is the end of an era that included some of the great Chiefs defenders of this generation. Berry was once a pillar of the Kansas City defense alongside Derrick Johnson, Tamba Hali, and Justin Houston. He may one day see his name on the ring of honor at Arrowhead Stadium. Throughout his nine-year Chiefs career, Berry has had no shortage of legendary moments. Here is a one-through-five ranking of the moments that define his career as a Chief.
5. Eric Berry becomes the 5th overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft
The Chiefs were coming off of a 4-12 season in 2009 which earned them the fifth pick in the draft. With the pick, Kansas City selected Berry out of Tennessee, who became an immediate starter and contributor to the defense. The turnaround for the team was immediate, going 10-6 that season to win the AFC West, and the team made the playoffs for the first time since 2006. Berry stockpiled 87 tackles, six quarterback hits and four interceptions on his way to a Pro Bowl rookie season. This kick-started what would turn out to be a storied career in a Chiefs uniform.
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4. Pick-Six @ Carolina
Berry had a knack for coming through in clutch situations. And when Kansas City slogged through the first three quarters of a crucial 2016 game at the Carolina Panthers, he picked the team up and willed them to victory. The Chiefs trailed 17-6 with just under 11 minutes to play in the fourth quarter when Cam Newton threw off his back foot while being pressured by Daniel Sorensen. Berry made the grab at the Panthers 42 yard line and waded by six would-be tacklers, making his way across the width of the field before diving at the pylon for the score. The play put a shot of life into Kansas City, who would go on to win the game by a final score of 20-17.
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3. Eric Berry wins Comeback Player of the Year
Berry was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma in December 2014, and stepped away from football to fight the disease. He did that and much more. Berry was ready for NFL action again the following September. The 2015 season was a return to form. He racked up 61 total tackles, two interceptions and had 10 passes defended. For his valiant fight against cancer and his prowess on the field the following season, Berry was awarded the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year. It was a crowning moment and a monumental display of perseverance. Here is Berry’s emotional acceptance speech at the 2016 NFL awards ceremony.
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2. The Pick-Two
Week 13, 2016. Eric Berry and the Chiefs headed to Atlanta with an 8-3 record, trailing only the 9-2 Oakland Raiders for first place in the AFC West. This would be the first time Berry played in his hometown as an NFL player. The Falcons took a 28-27 lead with 4:32 to play after quarterback Matt Ryan hit Aldrick Robinson for six. Atlanta opted to attempt a two point conversion to push their lead to three, and when Ryan looked left and tried to hit Austin Hooper on a drag route, Berry jumped it and picked him off for the second time that afternoon. His 99-yard return would put the Chiefs back on top for good, sealing a 29-28 win, and chalked up the very first “pick-two” in NFL history. Berry’s historic play in the waning minutes of his first game in his home city won a crucial December matchup for Kansas City, who eventually beat out the Raiders for the AFC West crown.
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1. Eric Berry’s return from cancer
Undoubtedly Berry’s greatest moment. After being diagnosed with cancer in December 2014, Eric Berry turned his focus to his health and told his teammates “I will be back!” Nine months later, Berry emerged from the tunnel at an electric Arrowhead stadium prior to a Week 2 Thursday night game against the Denver Broncos, wearing red from head to toe. It was a sight for sore eyes for Chiefs fans, and the dawn of a dominant run for Berry, who proceeded to have two of the best seasons of his career in 2015 and 2016.
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