Injured Berry much more than safety valve for Chiefs

Dec 11, 2017 - 1:34 AM KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The most valuable player on the Kansas City Chiefs defense wore a hoodie Sunday instead of a helmet, delivering a message that only he could deliver at the time when his teammates needed it most.

Only Eric Berry can command the attention of players like that and send them on the field ready for a big win.

"EB's an inspiration on and off the field," Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson said. "He's a guy that everybody looks up to. He's younger than me, but we look up to him. When he speaks, we're listening."

All-Pro safety Berry suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the team's Week 1 upset over the New England Patriots, ending his season before it barely begun. But there Berry stood with his teammates gathered around on the field before their 26-15 victory over the Oakland Raiders on Sunday in a must-win scenario.

"He just told us to take advantage of the moment, make sure we have a lot of carry-over," Johnson said. "What we did during the week, we're going to see out here, and that's exactly what we saw during the week."

Berry remains the heart and soul of Kansas City's defense, and that proved true once again Sunday. With the defense under the gun after a devastating letdown while surrendering an early lead against the New York Jets last week in the team's fourth straight loss, Berry made sure his teammates heard his lessons and applied them on Sunday.

"EB came into the building early this week and helped us with techniques and everything," safety Ron Parker said. "It's little stuff like shooting your hands in. It just carries over on Sunday. It's hard work and it's a lot, but it carries over on Sundays. He brings out the best in us."

Cornerback Terrance Mitchell, who filled in for suspended All-Pro Marcus Peters, said Berry helped him prepare for the challenge. Mitchell intercepted a pass and broke up three other passes.

"He has helped since I have been here with just the overall knowledge that he has given me and having him out there like another coach," Mitchell said.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Berry's presence in the locker room, on the practice field and in the meeting rooms provides a lift to the team. He said sometimes injured players disappear into the background because they don't feel part of the group.

"He's part of the team, a big part of the team," Reid said. "He's welcome back. From my standpoint, he's always welcome back and I'm glad he was here."

Parker said Kansas City's defense draws its identity and inspiration from Berry, even when he can't be on the field and in the huddle.

"Just to look at him and see him walk through here, it just gives you a different energy," Parker said. "We do feed off of Eric Berry's presence just being around him in the locker room and around the team period."