The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Hunt on Sports Illustrated cover
The rookie from Willoughby has really hit the big time.
One game played by Kareem Hunt in the NFL now equals a coveted spot on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
That’s the impact Hunt had on the national sports scene last week.
Hunt’s dazzling NFL debut Sept. 7 in an upset win at New England has earned the Willoughby South grad a spot on the cover of this week’s Sports Illustrated.
Hunt is shown stretching for the goal line en route to scoring his second touchdown vs. the Patriots.
The headline on the cover reads: “Back in style: The ground game’s next gen breaks through.”
A subhead also reads: “Welcome to the NFL: Kareem Hunt’s debut? Only the best ever by a rookie running back, with a record 246 yards from scrimmage.”
Hunt said through text message that he saw the cover just before lunch. His reaction? “lol (laugh out loud) (person with folded hands emoji) (person raising both hands in celebration emoji)”
Hunt had 148 yards rushing in his debut and added 98 receiving, including a 78-yard TD catch and run. He scored three TDs in the game.
“Unbelievable! That’s fantastic!” said South football coach Matt Duffy in a text message upon hearing the news Hunt was on the cover of this SI.
Since Hunt’s dazzling debut, it’s been a whirlwind of attention unlike anything he’s seen since he ran for the Rebels and at Toledo for the Rockets.
Chiefs QB Alex Smith said Hunt has to be ready for that spotlight if the running back’s production continues.
“You’ve got have that ‘it’ about you,” Smith said to reporters.
“The stage isn’t too big, that you’re ready for it, that you’re confident.”
This week’s Sports Illustrated will be on news stands on Sept. 14.