Tag: Khalen Saunders

Khalen Saunders used to show Chiefs teammates his high school RB highlights

Surprised by Khalen Saunders’ INT return? You wouldn’t be if you were one of his Chiefs teammates. He used to show them his high school highlights at running back:


New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Khalen Saunders delivered the play of the game on Monday Night when he intercepted Patrick Mahomes then took off. He caught the pass in the end zone and never considered going down for a touchback. Saunders returned the ball to the 35-yard line, displaying surprising athleticism.

Well, it wasn’t that surprising if you were a member of the Kansas City Chiefs from 2019 to 2022. Justin Reid revealed to Kay Adams that Saunders used to show them his high school highlight tape on a yearly basis. Adams was able to get the highlights in enough time for the two to watch it live on her show “Up and Adams.”

Saunders was smaller at the time, obviously, but not that much smaller. Reid revealed Saunders’ nickname was the minibus. How did this come up every year?

Every year, Saunders would talk about how he used to play running back and could still play offense. Of course, players were skeptical because of his weight, and every year someone would take the bait. All it took was for one vocal doubter and Saunders would pull out the tape as proof.

Reid added that “If anybody had to get a pick, I think everyone in Kansas City was happy it was him.”

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Former Chiefs defensive lineman makes history with highlight play in Week 5

Former Kansas City #Chiefs defensive lineman Khalen Saunders makes history with highlight play in Week 5 | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the New Orleans Saints last Monday night but had a brief scare due to a highlight play from a former member of their Super Bowl teams.

Saints defensive tackle Khalen Saunders intercepted Patrick Mahomes in the endzone before running the ball back 36 yards in the second half, stalling a drive. According to NFL metrics, Saunders’ return on the pick saw him hit a top speed of 15.79 mph, the third-fastest speed by a ball carrier over 320 pounds since 2016.

Saunders played for the Chiefs from 2019 to 2022, winning two Super Bowls on the defensive line alongside his good friend Chris Jones. During his post-game press conference, Mahomes shouted out his former teammates’ memorable moment.

“Yeah, we talked. He’s (Saunders)– I said if it had to be one person, the fact that it was Khalen was probably the best person in the NFL that could’ve got an interception off of me.” said Mahomes “(He’s) just such a good guy, man, (he’s) one of the best teammates that I’ve ever had. I mean, (he) truly is. (It’s) just a smile on his face every single day, and (he) really just loved – not only football – but the part of the locker room, which I think is really cool. So, I’m super happy for him that he had a good game and that he’s done a good job of having his career go on.”

Along with several Saints players, Saunders won titles with the Chiefs, making Monday’s game a semi-reunion that ended with a Kansas City victory.

‘THICC PICK!’ Kevin Harlan’s call of Khalen Saunders’ interception was perfect

THICC PICK!

Kevin Harlan continues to be the best at making the funniest calls, whether it’s during basketball games or during NFL action or the mundane, like a chicken wing being thrown on the court.

This time, it was the call of New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Khalen Saunders — brother of Taylor Swift dancer Kam Saunders — picking off a batted Patrick Mahomes pass for an interception. Off he went running for a thrilling play.

Harlan had a great call on Westwood One radio: “It was a thicc pick! It was a thicc pick! … We were just talking about — his brother dances, he runs! They are a talented family!”

https://twitter.com/westwood1sports/status/1843480258227646694

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1843477187573559773

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Saints’ 324-pound Khalen Saunders hit nearly 16 mph on interception return

Khalen Saunders of the Saints was moving after his pick of Patrick Mahomes

Khalen Saunders of the New Orleans Saints picked a pass that caromed off JuJu Schuster in the end zone Monday night at Arrowhead Stadium.

In the loss to Kansas City Chiefs, Saunders was a highlight as he took the interception of Patrick Mahomes throw out of the end zone.

Charging like a running back, the 6-foot, 324-pounder reached a top speed of 15.79.

That’s moving for a big guy.

Khalen Saunders intercepted Patrick Mahomes, then showed rare athleticism

Khalen Saunders intercepted his old quarterback Patrick Mahomes, then showed off rare athleticism on the big return:


Derek Carr isn’t the only quarterback with an interception streak in the New  Orleans Saints’ game with the Kansas City Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes has thrown an interception in every game this year. Just like Carr, he kept his streak alive on “Monday Night Football.”

The Saints also kept their streak of forcing an interception in each game. This time it was Khalen Saunders intercepting his former quarterback. Saunders was drafted by the Chiefs in 2019 before coming to New Orleans a year ago.

The true story here is the interception return. Saunders caught the ball in the end zone off a Paulson Adebo pass break up. You’d expect a defensive tackle to catch the interception and go down for the touchback. Not Saunders.

Saunders took the ball out of the end zone with no hesitation. It actually worked out for the Saints, as he took it up to the 36-yard line and did it nimbly. He avoided Xavier Worthy’s attempt to punch the ball out and set up the Saints with good field position.

Saunders has lined up at fullback a few times since coming to the Saints. He’s never been given a carry. That may change after watching that return.

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Patrick Mahomes ruined Paul Rudd’s ManningCast segment by throwing a pick to Saints’ Khalen Saunders

Not like this, Paul Rudd. Not like this.

Kansas City Chiefs superfan Paul Rudd picked the wrong time to join the ManningCast on Monday night.

Rudd hopped on with Peyton and Eli Manning to discuss his team’s Monday Night Football game against the New Orleans Saints, but his appearance immediately went in the wrong direction at no fault of his own.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw a shocking pick to Saints defensive tackle (and former Kansas City player) Khalen Saunders, and Rudd looked truly devastated as he watched the whole play unfold with the Manning brothers.

What stung even more was Rudd predicted Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster would score a touchdown right before the interception. That’s who Mahomes targeted on the play before Saunders picked the quarterback off.

You have to watch Rudd process this lowlight in the moment because it’s just priceless.

Feature image courtesy of ESPN. 

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Brother of Taylor Swift’s backup singer picks off Patrick Mahomes

There was a Taylor Swift theme on the Saints’ defense against the Chiefs

Taylor Swift was in a suite at Arrowhead on Monday night. Khalen Saunders, the brother of one of her backup singers, was on the field for the New Orleans Saints.

The 6-foot, 324-pound Saunders grabbed a carom off the hands of JuJu Smith-Schuter in the end zone for an interception. The big guy rumbled 37 yards with the pick.

The turnover turned into an eight-play, 62-yard drive that concluded with a Derek Carr pass to Foster Moreau for a touchdown.

The PAT was missed and the Saints trailed 16-13 in the fourth quarter.

Khalen Saunders brother Kam had to choose between his boss and his brother.

Khalen Saunders’ brother is rooting for him, not his boss Taylor Swift’s Chiefs

Khalen Saunders says his brother Kameron, a backup dancer for Taylor Swift, backs the Saints over the Chiefs. He’s ‘cheering for me because I’m paying for his ticket’

The New Orleans Saints will take on the Kansas City Chiefs on “Monday Night Football”, and with that, we got some insight from Khalen Saunders regarding the allegiance of his brother to either team. Saunders was asked which team his brother Kameron will be rooting for in this matchup, as he has worked as a dancer and choreographer for Taylor Swift, notably a fan of the Chiefs due to her relationship with star tight end Travis Kelce.

Saunders made it clear that Kameron will be rooting for the Saints, after being asked by Fletcher Mackrel of WDSU.

“Me. Of course,” Saunders laughed. “He don’t care about the Chiefs, he care about his brother. So, yeah I mean that’s his boss but I’m his brother, I was here first. So yeah, hopefully she’ll be there, but if not, yeah he’s gonna be on my side cheering, he ain’t gonna be cheering for the Chiefs. Even though he actually does have a key to the city in Kansas City too, but that’s beyond the point, he gonna be cheering for me because I’m paying for his ticket.”

Blood runs thicker than water. Saunders’ family will be out to support him on Monday. Maybe Swift will make an appearance, too, before performing at the Caesars Superdome later in October.

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Chiefs DT Chris Jones discusses facing former teammates: ‘It’s good to play against your peers’

Kansas City #Chiefs DT Chris Jones discusses facing former teammates: ‘It’s good to play against your peers’ | @EdEastonJr

The New Orleans Saints visit Arrowhead Stadium on Monday night. The team features multiple players who have played for the Kansas City Chiefs and contributed to Super Bowl titles.

Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones opened up to reporters on Friday about facing off against several former Chiefs on Monday night as they now play for the New Orleans Saints.

“Yeah, we’ve got what? (Saints LB) Willie Gay, TK (Saints DE Tanoh Kpassagnon), (Saints S) Tyrann (Mathieu), (Saints DT) Khalen Saunders – I talked to him (Saints DT Khalen Saunders) last night. I’m going to call him today to see if he can give me any spits about him being in the offense. (He) probably won’t, but it’s good, man (laughter).” said Jones. “It’s good to play against your peers that you once played and accomplished so much with. It’s also a challenge, though. We want to come in here and make sure we leave with a win. It’s exciting, (we are) looking forward to it, and maybe we can chat after the game.”

Jones is fond of all his former teammates but singled out Khalen Saunders for impacting his life off the field.

“You guys know that’s my guy (Saunders), that’s my guy,” said Jones. “We became very close over the time he was here. I used to go over to his house. (I) Still, call his Mama, Mama. She had a very personable relationship. That’s my guy. That’s my guy. I wish him nothing but success on his journey in this league. And I know when we play Monday, he’s (the) opponent.”

Saunders played for the Chiefs from 2019 to 2022, winning two Super Bowls alongside Jones on the defensive line.

What is keeping the Saints defense from being elite?

The New Orleans Saints’ struggles along the defensive line are holding them back. They’ve got to make more plays up front to join the league elite:

The New Orleans Saints defense has been the backbone of this team for a while now. It became more prominent after Drew Brees retired. The revolving door of quarterbacks mixed with the absence of Michael Thomas.

At that point, the defense transitioned into being the face of the team. Demario Davis, Marshon Lattimore and Tyrann Mathieu are three of the biggest names on the team.

The unit has been elite for years, but that isn’t the case anymore. Why?

Outside of Carl Granderson and Bryan Bresee, there’s no other defensive linemen you can count on. The defensive line is a weak point of the defense and is one of the weakest parts of the team.

The lack of pressure on the quarterback allows them to sit back in the pocket and attack the secondary. Quarterbacks haven’t been forced into many rushed decisions because of pass rush. The Saints’ run defense has waned over the years as well.

If you struggle in the trenches, it’s near impossible to be great on that side of the ball. That goes for offense and defense. The Saints inability to close out games is the biggest headline, but they’ve had their struggles mid game.

The Saints have played bend but don’t break defense. The Eagles and Falcons drove the ball down the field repeatedly, and the Saints forced field goals. The struggles along the defensive line are the biggest contributing factor to this. There’s only so long you can bend but not break.

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