The Kansas City Chiefs recently agreed to terms with punter Tyler Newsome on a one-year deal. Newsome might be considered a longshot to make the team because of Dustin Colquitt, the longest-tenured player on the Chiefs’ roster. Still, Newsome is an interesting player and worthy of getting to know. Here are three things the Chiefs Kingdom should know about their newest player:
A car accident in 2012 left Newsome severely injured
Newsome is not only lucky to be a professional athlete, but he’s lucky to be alive after a brutal car accident in 2012. Here is the description from his 2019 NFL Draft player biography:
“Roger Tyler Newsome is lucky to be alive. He spent 17 days in the hospital after a car accident in May 2012, where he suffered several injuries including a fractured tailbone and ruptured spleen. He spent many months rehabbing those injuries, however, and eventually became an all-state kicker in Georgia. Notre Dame offered him a punting scholarship before he took over that position as a senior”
Apparently, Newsome also suffered a broken pelvis, fractures to multiple ribs and a concussion during the accident. The outlook was grim, but Newsome worked his way back. Sure enough, he’d find an opportunity with the Fighting Irish and become one of the top punters in the illustrious history of the school.