Devon Key, right, with other Kansas City Chiefs rookies at a baseball game in Kansas City.
Almost immediately after Devon Key signed a free agent contract with Kansas City, the former Western Kentucky defensive back was on his way to join the team and will be there until June 18.
“He’s having a really good time but the NFL is a cut-throat league,” said Donte Key, Devon’s father and a former UK linebacker. “I told him just to enjoy it and do what you can do.
“I kind of leave him alone so he can focus on what he’s doing. He is learning from one of the best safeties in the league in Tyrone Mathieu.”
Devon Key had a brilliant career at Western Kentucky. He started 49 of 50 games in his four year and finished with a school-record 350 tackles. That also ranked fourth in career tackles for FBS players who finished their careers in 2020.
He had 92 tackles as a senior to rank 23rd in the nation. He had three pass breakups to increase his career total to 19.
“It’s an awesome feeling when a Super Bowl championship team calls your son and is excited about him and wants him so he can work in their system,” Donte Key said.
“He couldn’t be in a better position for him right now than with the Chiefs. We are really excited about it and just hoping for the best. Andy Reid is a demanding coach but he loves his players and runs an organization like he is supposed to.”
Donte Key made a call to former UK linebacker Marty Moore, the final pick in the 1994 draft who went on to play eight years in the NFL, including one Super Bowl.
“Marty said it was all about learning the playbook,” Donte Key said. “I did not go to the league, Marty did. He was like, ‘Tell him to get in that playbook and know as many positions as he can and show the coaches he can process it all.’ So that is what Devon is doing.”
