Chiefs’ Running back Isaiah Pacheco celebrates the arrival of his first child with his girlfriend.

Chiefs’ Running back Isaiah Pacheco celebrates the arrival of his first child with his girlfriend.

On a Kansas City Chiefs team loaded with stars and talent like Patrick Mahomes, Pacheco’s rise to NFL stardom has been even more surprising. It’s not that he was never loaded with talent, but going from seventh-round draft pick out of Rutgers to the starting running back for a Super Bowl-bound team in less than a year is certainly a monumental rise. His former head coach at Rutgers Born in Vineland, New Jersey, Pacheco’s background has Puerto Rican heritage on his father’s side, as confirmed by NFL reps.

Pacheco worked hard and endured tragedy in his childhood, as both of his siblings were killed when he was still in high school. These losses took place within a two-year span and have helped inspire Pacheco’s rise. “I don’t think anybody could have predicted that he’d be this successful this quickly, but I told everybody [scouts] who came to Rutgers to see him, ‘He’s the hardest practice player I’ve ever coached. I’m just so happy for him and his family. He’s worked for every bit of it. He’s overcome a lot. He had a rough upbringing. Lot of love, but a lot of trauma there, too.”Those who admire his work, note that he runs with the passion of someone who knows loss but also knows success. His running has even been described as someone who is angry with the ground. And his strength and physicality are not lost on anyone, especially his team’s quarterback, superstar Patrick Mahomes.