New Ringer story: Isiah Pacheco is Running for Much More Than Super Bowl Glory
My newest Ringer story focuses on the extraordinary journey of the Chiefs running back.
Happy Super Bowl week! I profiled Isiah Pacheco for the Ringer. The Chiefs RB is known for his intense, explosive, almost ‘angry’ running style, as it is often characterized: high knees, head down, arms pumping, feet stomping, plowing through the defense as if it had stolen something from him. But the story is much deeper than that. It’s about grief, it’s about passion, and ultimately, it’s about joy. I hope you find his story inspiring. I don’t know if many of us could hold the pain that he has held and turn it into something beautiful.
Read the story here, and please share if you can. Hoping this story does not get lost during trade deadline mania: https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2024/2/8/24065607/kansas-city-chiefs-running-back-isiah-pacheco-super-bowl-58
In other news, very excited to soon be able to share my Hakeem Olajuwon book! Coming out later this fall. Pre-order information will be available soon! :) I can’t believe it. How did “Giannis” come out two years ago? I still can’t believe it…And…I’m brainstorming for Book 3 :P
I’m in NorCal reporting for a different story right now, and the hotel that I’m staying at gave me not one but TWO of their signature cookies (IYKYK). I’m sorry; in this messed up, awful, seemingly hopeless world—this little gesture made my day.
I love being on the road. I love the independence of it. I love getting lost in the story. I love seeing what’s out there. The not knowingness of it all. The seconds it takes to observe something interesting. And, as Wright Thompson once said: “Write it all down and make sense of it later.” That has stuck with me every time I report. I hope to be able to share this story with you soon, too.
Thanks for reading me. PS: I cannot wait for Tommy Orange’s new novel coming out this month. He’s incredible. Hope you all read it, too.