Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 7/30

Chiefs safety Eric Berry: "Fear Nothing, Attack Everything" from The Mothership

"One of the toughest moments we had was during breakfast one morning," Berry's father, James, recalled. "It just hit him. He was just sitting there and all of the sudden he got all teary-eyed and was like, 'Wow, man, I have cancer.' And then he started looking ahead like, ‘What if I'm not going to be able to do this or if I can't do that?'

"I sat there and we just cried together, but I told him, 'You've got to take this one day at a time. We can't look ahead and say what the future holds. We just have to fight it the best way we can every day. I told him if you want to cry, then cry, if you want to be sad, then be sad, you can't be everything to everybody. This is the time now for you to look after you."

Eric Berry Health and Football Timeline Press Conference from The Mothership

Q: How did this journey change you?

BERRY: "I'm a lot more wise. I analyze things before I just go into them and the list is so long. Overall, I'm more wise and I understand and embrace the process. Everything is a process. It doesn't happen over night. Everything is preparation - don't overlook anything. Coach (Andy Reid) always talks about eliminating distractions and I would like to thank you guys for respecting me not wanting to do interviews or doing things like that, but I wanted to eliminate the distractions and focus on what I needed to focus on. Fear nothing, attack everything. That's how I kind of did the things."

What We Learned from Chiefs Coach Andy Reid's Press Conference from The Mothership

Reid shared what he learned about Berry through the process.

"I always joke because he has red hair, you know," Reid said. "It's growing back. They took it away from him and now it's coming back. He's got that red hair and that's how he kind of goes after things, just like...(grunt).

"With red hair comes temper and all of the those things and he could. That's the way it's happened—he went right after it. That doesn't surprise me. I'm sure he probably drove the doctor a little crazy every once in a while."

Seven Things to Keep in Mind When You're Headed to Chiefs Training Camp from The Mothership

You never know who you're going to run into at Chiefs Camp.

Training camp offers the chance to meet many of the people you see and hear from on game days and throughout game weeks.

That long list includes former Chiefs players, the "Voice of the Chiefs" Mitch Holthus and Chiefs reporter B.J. Kissel.

Chiefs Coach Andy Reid on the Royals: "They're cranking this thing up" from The Mothership

"This is their time of the year right here, man," Reid said. "They're cranking this thing up and they're going to go get a championship, so we're pulling for them and I know it's reciprocated the other way. They're big fans of ours and that's what it's all about."

As training camp picks up for a Chiefs team with high expectations heading into 2015, they'll support their neighbors as they head into the fall with high expectations as well.

"I think the people in Kansas City are very fortunate to have two great organizations like this. It's a beautiful thing from a fan's standpoint."

Social Recap: Chiefs, NFL Community React to Eric Berry's Return from The Mothership

The Chiefs safety has returned; here's what people are saying about it

Chapter Eight: Back to the Future from The Mothership

"Pro football has become the pass," Mackovic insisted upon taking the Chiefs job. A Star editorial at the time of his hiring noted that it was looking to see "a resolution of the team's muddled quarterback situation and greater use of the passing game which is a vital element of any pro offense."

And pass Bill Kenney did. He was, what one member of the coaching community called, "a stat guy." He had a good arm and ran up huge passing yards.

Taking Todd Blackledge in the first round of the 1983 draft was a surprise to many, especially Kenney who thought he might finally have the job on his own. But Mackovic, like most coaches, wanted his own guy and his interest in Blackledge dated back to when he tried to recruit him as he came out of high school. Mackovic was the head coach of Wake Forest then and admired Blackledge's skills, particularly his smarts, he carried a 3.8 average coming out of Penn State. He missed him in college but now he had the chance to make up for it. Getting Blackledge now, Mackovic said, "had something to do with my longevity."

Check out the Kansas City Chiefs video page for new content.

Eric Berry enjoys a sunny day, returning to the Chiefs and football from Chiefs Digest

Early in his chemo schedule, Berry set a goal of doing five pushups every day. Sometimes that was impossible. Other days, he could pump out a few more than a handful.

Berry was so intent on staying in shape that he rejected having a port-line inserted into his torso where he could receive the chemo drugs. Instead, he went for a more painful method of IV's in his arms. But that way allowed him to continue to work out and lift light weights.

"I already had my mind set that I wanted to be able to work out," Berry said. "I went ahead and got the IVs, and that's probably more dangerous than actually having the port. I'm glad I made the decision but it was rough. Just the feeling in my fingers and my veins are totally out of whack right now. The medicine is harsh and it did a little damage to my tissue, but its fine now."

Eric Berry focused on process to beat cancer, return to Chiefs from ESPN

That was victory No. 1. But it's one thing to be cancer-free, and another to be in physical condition to withstand an NFL season.

Berry headed to Florida to train. He worked out with teammates like tight end Travis Kelce, among others.

Berry recently returned to Kansas City, where the Chiefs put him through a series of tests to determine his football fitness, including one for bone density, and cardio and orthopedic exams.

"He did 325 pounds on the squat five times, 275 pounds on the bench press five times, just so we could tell if the strength was back," Burkholder said. "He sailed through every test that we gave him."

#BerryStrong: Chiefs' Pro Bowl safety back at practice after cancer fight from The Associated Press via FS Kansas City

The Chiefs are cautiously optimistic Berry will be ready for the regular season, and such a rapid return would not be without precedent: Reid said they looked at case studies involving other athletes, such as Mario Lemieux, in deciding how to proceed.

The Hall of Fame hockey player was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in 1993, went through a similar course of treatment and returned to finish his career with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

There is plenty of work ahead for Berry.

But on a warm, humid morning in northwest Missouri, as he trotted out of the locker room, he had already surpassed nearly all expectations.

"At the beginning, you kind of put football aside. Your mind goes to, 'Hey, we're hoping and praying he can be healthy and live a good life,'" Reid said. "Anything else is icing on the cake."

Chiefs' Eric Berry makes remarkable return to football from Chiefs Digest

Here is Berry's timeline from the past eight months:

• Nov. 24: Chiefs announce Berry has mass in right side of chest.
• Nov. 26: Berry begins treatment sessions with doctors in Atlanta, led by Dr. Christopher Flowers.
• Dec. 10: Berry receives first chemotherapy treatment.
• May 13: Berry completes chemo, concluding a six-phase regimen. "He came out the other side of chemo a pound heavier when he went in," Burkholder said.
• June 22: Doctors in Atlanta cleared Berry to resume normal activity calling him cancer-free.
• July 23: Berry begins extensive testing under Chiefs medical staff and trainers.
• July 28: The Chiefs cleared Berry to return to the practice field.

On Tuesday, Berry went through a strength test administered by Burkholder and pumped out five squats at 325 pounds and five repetitions at 275 pounds on Tuesday

Chiefs release RB Cyrus Gray from Chiefs Digest

The 5-10, 206-pound Gray originally joined the Chiefs out of Texas A&M as a sixth-round pick (182nd overall) in the 2012 NFL Draft.

He finishes his stint with the Chiefs appearing in 35 games, totaling 99 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries and 64 yards receiving on nine catches.

Gray's biggest impact came on special teams, where he served as punter Dustin Colquitt's personal protector and as the lead blocker on kickoff returns.

Chiefs place QB Tyler Bray, LB Ramik Wilson on NFI list from Chiefs Digest

"Tyler Bray is actually doing some work out here today with the trainers and we're just seeing, we're trying to get him on the field," coach Andy Reid told reporters after practice. "Remember, we didn't have him during the OTAs, so we got him on the field here doing this part of his physical exam. He's on NFI now, but we're going to see where he's at and see if he can progress and get off the NFI."

Chiefs practicing without Demetrius Harris, two other young players from ESPN

The Chiefs are hopeful that Harris, a basketball player in college, can be their second tight end and provide another receiving option at the position beside Travis Kelce. But Harris, who missed the second half of last season because of a broken foot, had a second surgery in May. The injury wasn't healing properly before that.

Harris is on the physically unable to perform list. Assuming he won't be ready to practice on Saturday when the Chiefs begin full-squad training camp, fifth-round draft pick James O'Shaughnessy and journeyman Richard Gordon will be the top backups to Kelce.

QB Alex Smith takes positive approach to training camp from Chiefs Digest

And Smith has a message for his younger teammates set to experience an NFL training camp for the first time.

"You try and come in and make the most of every rep," Smith said. "The chances you do get, you have to come out prepared and try and make the most of it. You cannot dwell on it. Do not be looking too far down the road, do not be dreading camp, how long it is and do not be thinking about preseason games at this point. For us, you basically get one practice a day now with the rules and a walk through, but you just really have to go out there and take advantage of it."

FS Kansas City Photo Gallery: Chiefs back on the field for 2015 training camp

Eric Berry returns cancer-free to practice with Kansas City Chiefs from AL.com

Wearing a shirt with "Against All Odds" on the sleeve, Berry said he did not despair that he would never play football again during his fight against Hodgkin's lymphoma.

"I wasn't afraid of that," Berry said during the press conference, which was live-streamed on the Chiefs' official web site. "I was just taking it day by day. I think the thing that clicked was when Stuart Scott died (on Jan. 4). He made the remark that how you beat cancer is how you live."

Kansas City Chiefs Player Eric Berry Reports for NFL Practice Less Than a Month After Beating Cancer from People Magazine

In June he completed his treatment, but it remained unclear when he could return to football. 

Then on Tuesday, the Chiefs announced that the three-time Pro Bowler would be back in time to start training camp.

"He's kept himself in good shape, believe it or not," Chiefs coach Andy Reid told the Associated Press. "He's really done a good job there."

2015 Fantasy Football Team Preview: Kansas City Chiefs from FOX Sports

Team defense (D/ST):

Great news was delivered to Kansas City on July 28 as it was revealed that Eric Berry was cleared to return to practice after receiving treatment for lymphoma. Not only is that great for Berry, but it's also amazing news for the KC defense that allowed only 17.6 points per game in 2014 (second-best). Other than facing the Packers, Steelers, and the Broncos (twice), I would start this defense every week. Remember, they play the Browns in Week 16.

St. Joseph hopes to keep Chiefs around for years from The Kansas City Business Journal

McGuffin said he also hopes the Chiefs will stay in St. Joseph, but he's also aware the team could — as other NFL clubs have — consider moving camp to its hometown. He noted that the Philadelphia Eagles moved their camp from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa., to a site near the team's stadium in Philadelphia in 2014. The Eagles held their training camp at Lehigh for 17 years before the move.

"I think Coach (Andy) Reid and this administration have nothing but nice things to say about (Missouri Western)," McGuffin said. "I think if they're still there, we have a good chance because I think our setup is really good. Now, if presidents change and coaches change, you never know.

"We know we have them for three years, and as long as we keep our end of the bargain up, we'll continue to have them."

Chiefs player visits young burn victim in hospital from KCTV

Some of the players heard Alex is a huge Chiefs fan and offensive lineman Jeff Allen stopped by his hospital room Wednesday afternoon to say hi.

"I knew he was going through a tough time so I wanted to come out and lift his spirits, but he ended up lifting mine," Allen said.

Chiefs arrive this week in St. Joseph for training camp from The Kearney Courier

Most of the public practices are free of charge, but the Aug. 1 workout has a $5 admission fee. The following Saturday, Aug. 8, is American Family Fun Day and will also have the $5 price tag.

Western charges $5 per day per vehicle for parking, with $35 season passes available in the university's athletic department office in the Looney Athletics Complex.

Team autograph sessions are scheduled for Aug 1, 2, 8 and 12.

Practices that start at 8:15 a.m. and will run approximately 2 hours, 40 minutes, while 9:15 a.m. practices will run 1 hour, 40 minutes.

Raiders have perfect response after Harry Styles disses them from Sports Illustrated

English boy band One Direction was at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday night, so naturally at one point the band's conversation between songs turned to the NFL.

One of the band's members, noted Packers fan Harry Styles, took the opportunity to appeal to the concert-goers at the Chiefs' home stadium by dissing one of their biggest rivals: the Oakland Raiders.

Eric Berry overshadowed by Tom Brady ridiculousness from Fansided

Hell, the only thing beaten into the ground more than coverage of Brady on ESPN was Brady's cell phone.

While covering the suspension of the NFL's golden boy certainly makes plenty of business sense, where is common sense? SportsCenter failed to run the news about Berry on its ticker, and never bothered to throw up a breaking news box in the top left corner of the screen. This is a network that breaks into coverage when Tim Tebow runs shirtless in the rain.