Instantly after the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs sealed their 38-35 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Tremendous Bowl LVII, backup quarterback Chad Henne introduced his retirement by way of Instagram with a now iconic picture of him ingesting a beer on the sphere.
The 13-year veteran joined the Chiefs in 2018 when the group turned the franchise over to an untested quarterback named Patrick Mahomes. He shall be remembered amongst Chiefs followers for 2 clutch performances in playoff video games when known as upon as an damage substitute for the famous person.
With out Henne’s second-quarter heroics within the Divisional Spherical’s 27-20 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars — whereas Mahomes was having an ankle damage handled — the Chiefs probably wouldn’t be getting ready for a Tremendous Bowl parade.
Photograph by Cooper Neill/Getty Photographs
Henne mentioned his retirement on this week’s episode of The Adam Schefter Podcast. Whereas many assume that holding a clipboard for the very best quarterback within the league is a simple job, the 37-year-old Henne defined to the ESPN insider that even a reserve function takes a toll — and requires a sacrifice of time.
“Simply once you get up — and your physique’s not feeling proper every day. And also you’ve acquired to do the stretches that not lots of people should do once you’re younger, simply to get the physique going and your thoughts mentally going. I believe you simply realize it’s time. My youngsters are on the age — they’re at 9 and 7 proper now — I simply wished to be part of their lives as properly.”
Many profitable NFL head coaches had been as soon as backup quarterbacks — together with Jaguars coach Doug Pederson, who performed for Chiefs head coach Andy Reid in Philadelphia. Whereas Henne plans to work with quarterbacks, followers shouldn’t anticipate to see him on a training employees.
“I positively wish to get into the coaching quarterbacks scenario…I’ve a lot data to present out that I really feel like it might be a waste for me to not be round it. I’d love to educate, however I believe that’s too many hours on my plate. I simply wish to be round my household and spend time with them.”
Naturally, the dialog turned to working with the league’s prime participant. Henne confirmed no hesitation in figuring out when he realized Mahomes is a particular participant.
“Day one. Simply seeing him flick the ball. His spatial consciousness on the sphere [and] his management qualities actually stood out to me from the start. As a younger quarterback, it’s robust for guys to essentially command a group and an offense at a younger age, and he stepped into that function so simply. It’s unreal what he does. We see it in follow every day — and it involves life on Sundays.”
Having shared the quarterback room with Mahomes for 5 seasons, nonetheless, the retiring Henne additionally took the chance to establish a little-seen facet of the 2022 league MVP.
“The superstitions. You recognize baseball background…He has to have a sure factor every day. He is available in, he does his work, [and] his notes are written out a sure manner. Identical pair of underwear — which most likely not lots of people know.
“On recreation day — he’s been carrying it since I’ve been part of it. It will positively be enlightening. He’ll be like ‘What the hell? You’re checking my underwear out?’ However there’s issues I’ve seen that no person else has seen.
“However his preparation is unbelievable — how he goes about it. He is aware of precisely what number of performs are in every part on Andy Reid’s name sheet. And if it’s off by one play — it’s going to be talked about this week. He dives into it deeply, and it’s enjoyable to observe every day.”
Henne entered the league with the Miami Dolphins as a second-round choice within the 2008 NFL Draft. He performed for 2 head coaches in 4 seasons with the Dolphins. He additionally had three completely different head coaches in 5 seasons as a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars. He appeared to understand the soundness of closing his profession taking part in for Reid.
“It’s at all times one quote: ‘Let your character present.’ [Reid] ends the assembly proper earlier than he says, ‘I’ll deal with you to a cheeseburger on Saturday evening.’ That at all times resonated with me as a result of there have been many instances in my profession that groups [and] coaches had been so uptight — so concerned in attempting to win — that it took away loads of personalities on our group. I believe that at all times stood with me. ‘Let your character present.’ Simply be you. You don’t should be something aside from you once you step on the sphere. I’ll take that from right here on out in my life. I’ll be myself every day — and if you happen to like otherwise you don’t, I’ll be pleased with myself.”
