The Kansas City Chiefs decided to beef up their pass rush by selecting defensive end Ashton Gillotte in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

At 6-foot-3 and 275 pounds, Gillotte is a powerful rusher who has the versatility to play outside or inside. He recorded 100 total tackles, 155 pressures, and 25 sacks in four years for the Cardinals.

While the Chiefs hope he’ll make make a big impact for them on the field, that’s not the only reason why they drafted him. Gillotte is highly touted for his character and community work off the field. During his time at Louisville, Gillotte gave most of his NIL money back to charity, and took time to help out around the area as much as possible.

While speaking to the media ahead of Chiefs rookie minicamp on Saturday, Gillotte explained what motivates him to donate his time and money to charitable causes.

“A lot of it comes down to my faith and really the calling I feel like God put on me,” Gillotte said. “I don’t need half the things, like, I’m grateful with what I have. So, whatever I can give back. Because my mom ingrained that in me, my pastors ingrained that in me, my youth group leaders. So, for me it’s been a calling, especially for veterans. Veterans are a big thing for me. Homelessness, that’s another thing. If I can give back in any way, I feel like that’s what you’re supposed to do, especially when you get in these positions.”

Gillotte went on to detail the importance of helping veterans specifically.

“I got a lot of military family,” Gillotte said. “My dad’s an ex-Marine, my uncle was in Iraq, in the Army. Just seeing the lack of support for it, and kind of almost how you get overlooked. Veterans kind of get overlooked nowadays. So, just being able to call attention to that and make them feel loved, because a lot of vets don’t feel like people when they get home. It’s hard to figure out your schedule without the military. So, any way I can bring that familiarity back or make them feel loved, because everyone deserves love.”

The 22-year-old NFL rookie has proven to be mature beyond his years, which will help him be successful on and off the field. The Kansas City community will be lucky to have him, and hopefully he can become a key contributor along the Chiefs’ defensive line as well.