Isiah Pacheco may be known for his angry runs, but ahead of Sunday’s Super Bowl, the Kansas City Chiefs running back is much more than that.
He was, in fact, Mr. Vineland 2018.
Rewind six years ago to when Pacheco was a senior at Vineland High School (Vineland, New Jersey). Before he was an NFL draft pick and even before he was an All-Big Ten running back at Rutgers, Pacheco was a high school legend.
His famous dreads weren’t grown out yet but his smile, so unique and affable, was present even back then. During a time when most are enduring the throws of awkward adolescence, Pacheco was seemingly calm and confident.
Despite being already enrolled at Rutgers, Pacheco was voted Mr. Vineland 2018. The award (back then) was decided simply:
“The 12 contestants were selected by female members of the senior class from more than two dozen applicants.”
Pacheco, apparently also known as ‘Mr. March’…was selected as the winner. He received “a crown, trophy and the right to wear the Mr. Vineland sash.”
Now, he has Taylor Swift (yes, the Taylor Swift) celebrating his touchdowns for the Chiefs by flashing his jersey number. Was Taylor Swift celebrating a Pacheco touchdown run on anyone’s bingo card for this year?
Mr #Vineland 2018 Isiah Pacheco is crowned. @VHSCO18 @2020vhs @VHS2021 @vhsclass0f2019 @DJPlaymakers pic.twitter.com/0cf3zjvNbO
— Deborah Marko (@dmarko_dj) January 12, 2018
Perhaps that crown is sitting next to his Super Bowl ring from last season?
Pacheco is coming off a very strong second season with the Chiefs, rushing for 935 yards and seven touchdowns. He has a rushing touchdown in all three of the Chiefs’ playoff games this season.
Last year in the Super Bowl, he scored a second-quarter touchdown to help kickstart the Chiefs’ comeback over the Philadelphia Eagles.