Chiefs CB Jackie Bates Has Come A Long Way

by Joel Thorman on Feb 20, 2010 11:24 AM CST in 2010 Kansas City Chiefs Season

Kansas City Chiefs CB Jackie Bates recently signed a two year reserve/futures contract. He's an undrafted free agent so he doesn't get much print around here but his story is an interesting one.

Previously a member of the Oregon Ducks, Bates broke his ankle, which caused him to miss eight games in the 2006 season. Following that, he was suspended by the team after getting into a fight.

He still had eligibility remaining at Oregon but decided to transfer to Hampton to get a fresh start.

One other issue he's dealt with is the shooting of his friend and fellow Oregon recruit Terrance Kelly in 2004. It's really a sad story.

"After Terrance, after breaking my ankle, being suspended, everything, I knew there was light at the end of the tunnel because of my faith in God," he told the Oregonian.

Bates says he's "finally 100 percent and back to running at full speed."

Bates has been through quite a lot and to continue to forge ahead -- despite his past mistakes -- is a testament to his character. Let's hope that translates to the field.

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With his new contract

We can assume the Chiefs have some future interest in him.
Tragedy strikes all of us. It is how we deal with & overcome tragedy that defines us.
Hopefully Mr. Bates is a success story.

by ChiefsChance on Feb 20, 2010 12:25 PM CST reply actions

As MLK said

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

by Eastcoastransplant on Feb 20, 2010 1:01 PM CST up reply actions

Maybe god doesn’t want him to play football and he is just not getting the message.

Merlinnj

by merlinnj on Feb 20, 2010 1:20 PM CST reply actions

Maybe you are correct god may not want him to play; but he believes in God and that is the difference!! Best Wishes to this young man!

by trishlea on Feb 21, 2010 7:34 AM CST up reply actions

how safe can he be? theres no way hes passin up the brandon tandem. and i dont think hes better than leggett. plus theres that possibilty ( and im not saying its going to happen ) that we could draft or sign another CB. So hopefully this guy is good enough to play in a dime package. i’m rootin for this kid though

You're a goddamn quarterback! You know what that means? It's the top spot, kid. It's the guy who takes the fall. It's the guy everybody's looking at first - the leader of a team - who will support you when they understand you. Who will break their ribs and their noses and their necks for you, because they believe. 'Cause you make them believe. That's a quarterback.
--- Any given sunday

Cassel can lead us.

by BEEf_CHIEF on Feb 20, 2010 1:23 PM CST reply actions