Kansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry is one of the best stories in football today.
Berry battled back from lymphoma to return to the field last season and win the Comeback Player of the Year Award—less than a year after his diagnosis.
This year, Berry is a major contender for Defensive Player of the Year. Ask him, though, and he’ll tell you all that matters is the game itself. NFL.com’s Jeffri Chadiha captured how Berry’s off-field battle gave him a better appreciation of the game:
In particular, Berry said he’s far more grateful to be playing a game he’s always loved. “It definitely sparked me, and I look at the game different,” Berry said. “I’m more detailed at what I do. I pretty much have broken it down to the smaller things. I’ve always had appreciation for the game. I’ve always loved the game. That hasn’t changed, but just my attention to detail, I feel like that’s what went up for me.”
Berry might not win the award. If those who decide such things only take stats into account, guys like Von Miller and Khalil Mack have numbers that jump off the page. Anyone who watches a Chiefs game, though, knows how much Berry’s play leads to wins outright.
Obviously Berry won’t fret much over missing an award. He has a different perspective now, and it’s refreshing to hear such an approach.
That said, here’s to hoping Berry reels in the award.
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