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Jamaal Charles is a Denver Bronco.
Yes, the same guy who nearly—and very well could have—went for 300 yards against the Broncos in 2010, the same guy who’s rushed for nearly 1,000 yards against the team, the same guy who’s accounted for nearly 10,000 yards for the hated Chiefs… Or—if you have a more selective memory—the same guy who coughed the ball up with 30 seconds left and helped propel the Broncos magical 2015 season.
No matter how you want to look at it, that guy is going to be wearing Orange & Blue in 2017. Believe it.
If you’re just catching up, the Kansas Chiefs cut ties with their all-time leading rusher back in February to clear up roughly $6 million in cap space. From a football standpoint, the move made sense, Charles has only played in eight games over the last two seasons and in his absence, the Chiefs have seen the emergence of Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West.
On the other hand, this is potentially the best running back in the history of the franchise we’re talking about, a guy who has put it on all the line for the Chiefs, fought through multiple injuries, lived and breathed Kansas City for eight years, kicked to the curb.
“It’s behind me now. I really don’t even want to talk about that,” Charles said on a conference call with Denver media shortly after he signed. “I love the organization and love the team. At the end of the day, it’s a business, but it’s also personal as well. It is what it is. At the end of the day, they let me go, and I’m not there. I’m starting a new chapter, and I’m happy with my new chapter, really.”
Everyone understands it’s a business, especially NFL players, they have that saying jammed down their throats from the second they get into the league, but human nature is human nature.
“I’m just happy I get to play them twice a year. I’ll just leave it like that,” Charles said. “I’ll let those two games speak for themselves. At the end of the day, I love my teammates. I wish them the best. I know they wish me the best too. At the end of the day, it’s about how we can feed our families. I’m here with the Broncos.”
If things go according to his plan, Charles will have a couple chances to tell the Chiefs not to take it personal either.