The Kansas City Chiefs were treated to a motivational talk from a reformed crime boss, who then sat alongside Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes for a watch party of Happy Gilmore 2.
Head coach Andy Reid invited Damon West – a former college quarterback who became a meth addict and was later sentenced to life in prison – to speak to his players as they prepare for the new NFL season.
West served more than seven years in prison for his role as the mastermind of a burglary ring, after – in his own words – the lives of ‘so many innocent people’ were ‘forever… changed by the choices he made in order to feed his insatiable meth habit.’
He is on parole in Texas until 2073 but West is now a best-selling author who preaches the ‘coffee bean message’, teaching people ‘how to transform their environment, overcome challenges, and create positive change.’
West has worked with teams including the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Timberwolves – as well as the US Army – and this week West spoke to the Chiefs.
‘Thank you, Coach Reid, for the invitation to share the coffee bean message with the Kansas City Chiefs,’ the author wrote on social media, alongside a picture of him standing arm in arm with Mahomes, Reid and Kelce.
Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes and the rest of the Chiefs are currently in training camp
As well as speaking to the players, West sat in on team meetings and a showing of Happy Gilmore 2, which features a cameo from Kelce.
‘You blew my mind after the presentation by allowing me to sit in (next to you) on the offensive install meeting,’ West continued.
‘However, watching Happy Gilmore 2 with Pat, Travis, and the whole team is something I’ll never forget.’
Reid is known for running one of the most brutal training camps in the NFL. Under their legendary coach, the Chiefs are looking to bounce back from last year’s Super Bowl heartbreak.
Mahomes, Kelce and Co were eyeing an historic three-peat but Kansas City was humiliated by the Philadelphia Eagles in New Orleans.
Kelce teased possible retirement from the NFL following that loss. But the tight end decided to play on for a 13th season.
The Chiefs are spending training camp at Missouri Western State University in St Joseph – around an hour north Arrowhead Stadium.
