The Kansas City Chiefs quickly moved to release running back Kareem Hunt six years ago when video surfaced of him shoving and kicking a woman outside of his residence. On Wednesday, the Chiefs welcomed Hunt back to the team, saying he had matured.

"We just thought he needed a change of scenery and get some help and take care of business there and we felt like he did that," Reid said. "He did a nice job in Cleveland, and we talked to the people there and there were no issues there, so we felt OK by bringing him back. ... It looks like he's grown up.

"I think people deserve a second chance if they've done something to work on the first part of it."

The Chiefs, after losing starting running back Isiah Pacheco to a broken fibula, signed Hunt to the practice squad on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Reid said Hunt could play in Sunday night's game against the Atlanta Falcons.

Patrick Mahomes said he has remained friends with Hunt, who attended Mahomes' wedding in Hawaii two years ago. The quarterback was one of the most outspoken Chiefs players about Hunt's actions in the video, but he also said he was happy to see Hunt return.

"Everybody has friends that make mistakes -- obviously some are bigger than others -- but, at the same time, you want to make the person better," Mahomes said. "You want to see them taking the right steps to become a better person for themselves, their family and the rest of society. And so, I think you've seen that with Kareem, and so I've stayed in touch with him just to see how he's doing, how his family's doing, everything like that.

"He's been able to carve out a great career in the NFL, but I mean you've seen he's been able to keep his nose clean and be a better person and that's what you want in order to make everybody better people."

The Chiefs selected Hunt in the third round in 2017 -- the same draft in which they acquired Mahomes. Hunt had a big rookie season, rushing for a league high 1,327 yards, catching 53 passes and scoring 11 touchdowns.

He was well on his way to another 1,000-yard season in 2018 when the video surfaced. The NFL then placed Hunt on the commissioner's exempt list and the Chiefs released Hunt, saying he had not been truthful when the team had asked him about the incident at a Cleveland hotel where he had an apartment.

Hunt, 29, played the past five seasons for his hometown Browns. The most productive of those seasons came in 2020, when he rushed for 841 yards and caught 38 passes. Last season, he rushed for 411 yards and caught 15 passes.

Hunt's Rise and Fall

Kareem Hunt's rise in the NFL faced a dramatic downfall following incidents in 2018. Initially celebrated for his strong performance as a rookie, Hunt was released by the Kansas City Chiefs after video footage emerged showing him assaulting a woman in a hotel. The footage contradicted his earlier claims about the events, leading to scrutiny from both the team and the league. Hunt received an eight-game suspension from the NFL for the altercations, marking a significant turning point in his career.

Public Perception and Second Chances

While Hunt's actions led to his release and suspension, discussions around the varying public reactions to the incidents indicate a complex relationship between player conduct and fan support, suggesting some may still view him favorably despite his past. The future trajectory of Hunt's career remains uncertain, as public perception and team dynamics will influence his opportunities. Continued scrutiny from both fans and the league regarding player behavior could alter Hunt's standing within the NFL.

A Second Chance for Hunt?

Kareem Hunt's case exemplifies the potential for rapid changes in career trajectory due to off-field conduct. His situation reinforces the need for accountability among players and poses questions about second chances in professional sports. The Chiefs' decision to bring Hunt back to the team after his release is a sign that they believe he has learned from his past mistakes and is ready to contribute to the team again. However, the public's reaction to Hunt's return will be a key factor in determining his long-term success in the NFL.

The Incident That Rocked the NFL

In February 2018, a woman, Abigail Ottinger, told Cleveland police that Hunt "pushed and shoved" her during a dispute in a hotel apartment. She claimed that she and a friend were kicked out of Hunt's apartment because she "didn't want" one of the other men in the unit. Hunt’s friend claimed that the woman called both him and Hunt the "n-word" before the assault, according to the police report.

Video Evidence of the Incident

A call into the police said that there were "two women that have bruises and cuts all over them." Hotel security was summoned, as well as the police, but no charges were filed. On Nov. 30, 2018, the Chiefs cut Hunt from the team after video footage of the altercation was released. The video showed Hunt shoving and kicking the woman, backing up her claim from February.

Chiefs Release Hunt

At the time of his release, Kansas City stated that the running back "was not truthful" in the previous conversations that were discussed when the incident was first reported and "several members of our management team spoke directly to him."

"Kareem was not truthful in those discussions," the Chiefs said in a statement. "The video released today confirms that fact. We are releasing Kareem immediately."

Hunt's Response

In an interview with ESPN, Hunt admitted that he lied to the Chiefs about the incident.

“The Chiefs are right — I didn’t tell them everything," Hunt said. "I don’t blame them for anything. My actions caused this. I know it’s going to be hard. I made a bad choice and I’m not going to let this bring me down."

NFL Suspension and Cleveland Browns

Hunt was issued an eight-game suspension on March 15, 2019, for the incident involving Ottinger. He did not appeal the ban. The running back had signed with Cleveland about a month earlier. The organization kept him despite the discipline, and he returned to football on Nov. 10, 2019.

The Future of Kareem Hunt

It remains to be seen whether Hunt can make a successful comeback to the NFL. His past behavior has made some fans wary, and he may face continued scrutiny from the league. However, he has shown signs of remorse and has made an effort to improve his behavior. Only time will tell if he can regain the trust of the fans and the league.

It is important to note that the views expressed in this article are not necessarily those of The Sporting News. The author has strived to present a balanced and objective account of the events, but it is ultimately up to each individual to form their own opinion on the matter. The author is aware that some readers may have strong feelings about this topic, and the author encourages respectful dialogue in the comments section below.