Chiefs Player Quotes
May 6, 2024
QB CHRIS OLADOKUN
Q: What was it like to get out there and get so much work in this weekend?
OLADOKUN: “It was great, it was a great opportunity. Second year in a row getting to do and be a part of (rookie) minicamp and sort of being the guy that gets to lead the charge with the offense and really the whole camp is something that I don’t take for granted. (It’s) good to get out there with the young guys and for myself it’s good to test my knowledge of what I’ve learned over the past couple years and getting guys adjusted, set, controlling that tempo in the huddle. So, it was a great weekend.”
Q: This will be your third season in the system, how do you approach these minicamps?
OLADOKUN: “I take it as another opportunity to get better. It’s not just something that they ask me – well they do ask me - but it’s something that I want to do. It’s something that I feel like it just gives me an opportunity to get better. Especially in my role as a third guy, the reps are slim so to come out here no matter who is out here. - I could take all you guys out there (the media) and try to figure out the offense with you guys. It’s just another opportunity, it’s good for me not only to be able to run the offense and be able to spearhead everything but also be a teacher. One of my good friends from back home from Tampa (Zach McCarron-Mathis) he was actually in the camp and he stayed with me the past three days so being able to go over the playbook and then install with him and sort of teach him was something that was neat for myself to really hone in and be like, ‘Alright, you really know it.’ (It’s my) third year in the system and so now it’s just going out there and producing when I get my opportunities.”
Q: Have you noticed that the returning players have already turned the page to get ready for next season?
OLADOKUN: “Yeah, last year is last year. I think we’re sort of done with last year and winning, I think we were done with that after the parade. We understand coming into this new year, we had a big target on our backs last year after winning and going back-to-back now, I mean that target is as big as ever. I think everyone is singularly focused on doing what we can now and Super Bowls aren’t won the day of the game, they are won now by preparing – mentally and physically to get ready (and) heading into training camp and then into the season.”
Q: How do you feel that you get to introduce the draft picks into the system and that you get to work with them first?
OLADOKUN: “It’s good because Pat (Mahomes) has called me after every single day and he’s like, ‘Hey, how are the guys doing? What routes are they good at?’ Things of that nature, just sort of asking about the guys, even just in the cafeteria, ‘How are they as dudes? Good dudes?’ That’s something that I think (Head) Coach (Andy) Reid and all the coaches – we take pride in here, everyone is a good dude in the building. It’s good to actually be the first one to call Pat and be like, ‘Hey man, Xavier Worthy is as fast as he is.’”
WR PHILLIP BROOKS
Q: What is it like to get this opportunity so close to home?
BROOKS: “I’m from Kansas City, Lee’s Summit, Missouri. I grew up a Chiefs fan, my family are Chiefs fans so it’s a dream come true for me. I’m really grateful for this opportunity.”
Q: Have you been to many games at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium?
BROOKS: “Yeah, I went to a few a year, for sure when I was younger. When I got to college I couldn’t go as much, but I tried to make it every now and then.”
Q: What has Felix Anudike-Uzomah told you about playing here?
BROOKS: “He just told me, ‘We win championships here so come with that championship mentality, with your work ethic and doing everything right on and off the field.’ The professionalism here is great, the work ethic, all of that. He told me to come in ready to go because they aren’t playing games, they’re trying to get back to the Super Bowl again.”
Q: How much does this camp give you confidence going forward?
BROOKS: “I got a feel for how they run things here, got the jitters out I believe. I’m feeling very comfortable. I’m about to go train with this week off, come back and do my thing.”
RB LOUIS REES-ZAMMIT
Q: What has the learning curve been like in the playbook?
REES-ZAMMIT: “It’s completely different. In rugby it’s free flowing – unless you get a set piece in rugby that’s when you call a play, there’s probably 20-30 plays a game whereas here you’re talking 100. It’s been interesting to learn the playbook, obviously we’re only a few installs in. I’ve only been here for a week but yeah, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it, and I can’t wait to see what happens next.”
Q: How do you feel it went this week?
REES-ZAMMIT: “It was a good week, really good week. It was great to meet all the boys, great to dive deep into the playbook as I said earlier. It’s been a good week overall. Definitely helped doing rookie minicamp (and) you know getting reps. I’m a very – the way I learn is actually doing the reps, it was a great three days.”
Q: What prompted you to want to try football?
REES-ZAMMIT: “My dad was a big NFL fan growing up and he wanted to play the sport, he played American football back in the UK, it wasn’t an option to come out here and play. Growing up as a kid I’ve always watched it. Every Sunday I’d be staying up late – obviously the time difference is five to six hours, it would be early hours in the morning for me. My dad is a massive mentor for me and a role model. It was just about when I was going to do it and I achieved everything I wanted to in rugby, so I thought now was the perfect time.”
Q: How much did the Chiefs recent success weigh into your decision to come play here?
REES-ZAMMIT: “I think it’s more the coaches. They have unbelievable coaches here and it was where I was going to learn the best. Learn the best, the best group of boys. It was just about having a plan for me, being able to prove what I can do and being able translate my rugby skills into football. It’s been great on that side.”