The 2024 regular-season schedule for the Kansas City Chiefs has many twists and turns because of the timing of their prime-time games. Each matchup will feature top-tier NFL players, including their Nov. 24 game against Carolina Panthers star wide receiver Adam Thielen.
Ahead of the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament next month, Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Thielen, who will be taking part. Topics included the Panthers’ Week 12 game against the Chiefs and his mentality against the defending champions.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a different game. That’s what I think is so great about the NFL — every game means and matters so much,” Thielen said. “Whether you’re playing the worst team in the NFL or you’re playing the very best, every game matters so much that you can’t treat them differently. You’ve got to show up every day. You’ve got to show up every game. I’ve been a part of really good teams that have lost a really bad team that year, and I have been a part of the opposite last year; I think we were the worst record in the NFL, and we beat Houston.”
Thielen started all 17 games last season, his first season in Carolina, and had 103 catches for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns. The Panthers finished with a 2-15 record as the team continues to rebuild under quarterback Bryce Young.
“Every game, you got to show up, and you got to play your best ball, and I think it just creates that atmosphere that there’s no slacking,” said Thielen. “It’s not like college, where you can just show up and you play this FCS school, and you can roll them. No, that’s not the case in the NFL. So, which I think is cool.”
Thielen will join many other NFL players at the American Century Championship, including Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, whose brother Jason will make his first appearance at the event. It will be held at Lake Tahoe from Wednesday, July 10 through Sunday, July 14 and will air on NBC, with special coverage on Peacock and the Golf Channel. The 54-hole tournament raises funds for local and national charities with a purse of $750,000, including a $150,000 first prize.
Check out the website for more information about the American Century Championship.