Latest Jamaal Charles tribute
By: Jake Rajala
The Kansas City Chiefs selected Jamaal Charles 73rd overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. The former Texas RB wasn’t a star in his rookie season (629 total yards and 1 RRTD in 16 games), but it was clear that he proved to be a major steal for the Chiefs in his second season: 1,120 rushing yds, 5.9 YPC, and 8 RRTD. Charles climbed the ladder in his third season, as he unveiled a magical, All-Pro season. The blistering quick Chiefs RB ran for 1,467 yards, 6.4 YPC, and even recorded 468 receiving yds in 2010.
Charles would make the Pro Bowl in 2012, 2013 (including an All-Pro spot), and 2014. Charles would oust a career-best 19 total touchdowns in 2013 while recording a personal best 1,980 total yards. It was clear that Charles was a Top-3 RB and the Chiefs were able to maximize his ability in the rushing/receiving game.
Unfortunately, Charles went from a blockbuster RB to an injury-riddled RB that lost his spark after the 2014 season. On October 12th of 2015, Charles suffered his second torn ACL in his career. The Chiefs oddly lost one game after Charles tore his ACL in 2015.
Charles was an aging RB that suffered multiple ACL injuries and it was clear that a gifted RB like Charles couldn’t re-discover utterly explosive ability at that point. Charles wasn’t able to register 300+ rushing yds in 2016, 2017, or 2018.
Charles would end his mystical career as a Chief on May 1st, 2019. He signed a one-day contract with the organization that drafted him and then took one last carry from Patrick Mahomes on the practice field after the ceremony. It seems clear that Charles will join the Chiefs ring of honor in the future.
