KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Eric Berry is getting plenty of attention for his play on the field in recent weeks. The Kansas City Chiefs safety was named AFC defensive player of the week for the second time in the past month, this time for his two timely interceptions and scoring returns that lifted the Chiefs over the Atlanta Falcons.
Berry has had everyone’s attention in the Chiefs' locker room for some time now. The combination of the two has Berry emerging as a strong candidate to be the most valuable player on one of the NFL’s best teams.
Berry ignited a Chiefs comeback on Nov. 13 against the Carolina Panthers with a fourth-quarter interception and spectacular return for a touchdown. For that he won his first player of the week award. He won again this week for his pick-six and pick-two against Atlanta.
Equally as important to the 9-3 Chiefs are the things Berry does behind closed doors. He’s usually the one who gathers the Chiefs at the end of pregame warm-ups for some final words of inspiration. If anyone has something to say at halftime or after the finish of a game, it’s frequently Berry.
“He’s always got the right words to say whatever the situation is,’’ guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif said. “Before the game, when he has something to say, it gets everybody fired up. When he says something at halftime, he’s able to keep us focused and keep us ready to go in the second half. When he says something after the game, whether we lose or we win, he always has everybody paying attention.’’
An unusual public display of Berry’s oratory skills came in the fourth quarter against the Panthers, minutes after his interception and touchdown. Cornerback Marcus Peters forced and recovered a fumble in the final minute with the scored tied.
After the play, Peters inexplicably punted the ball into the stands, drawing a delay of game penalty. Back on the sideline, it was Berry who got into Peters’ face and scolded him for drawing a penalty that could have, but didn’t, cost the Chiefs a chance to win.
Teammates have said they like to hear from Berry because his message is usually one that speaks to the moment. Berry’s comeback from cancer -- he returned to the Chiefs last year only eight months after being diagnosed with lymphoma and worked out meticulously through his chemotherapy treatments so he could make such a speedy recovery -- give his words even more weight.
“You definitely take all of that into consideration when he’s talking,’’ defensive lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches said.
But Berry was this way before his cancer diagnosis.
“When you’re around him here, it’s all about football,’’ coach Andy Reid said. “That’s the part you appreciate, him coming to work and bringing that attitude. There’s never a day off. It’s, ‘Let’s stay focused. Let’s go through the process, let’s get ready to play the game and then play it hard.’ That can be contagious.
“He’s so mentally tough. I think that helped him in his recovery. He just says, ‘I’m doing it, no one is stopping me and here we go.’ That’s kind of how he goes about life.’’