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Pacheco’s Helmet in Pro Football Hall of Fame

It was quite a season for Chiefs rookie Isiah Pacheco of Vineland. Despite being selected by the Chiefs with the 251st overall pick (out of 262 total), Pacheco became a starter who rushed for 830 yards in the regular season. He added 197 more yards on the ground in the playoffs and scored a touchdown in Super Bowl LVII.

And now Pacheco’s helmet from the Super Bowl victory is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. The Hall of Fame noted that Pacheco’s helmet had a Puerto Rican flag next to the American flag. That was part of the NFL’s initiative to allow players to pay tribute to their heritage, which first took place in October.

Players were again allowed to put a flag from another nation on their helmet in Super Bowl LVII, and Pacheco had Puerto Rico’s added.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame took note of the diversity initiative in showcasing Pacheco’s helmet. The display reads: “The NFL encouraged players across the league in 2022 to wear a helmet decal celebrating the country or territory that represents their heritage as part of its international diversity initiative. Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco, who is of Puerto Rican descent, wore this helmet featuring the Puerto Rican flag to celebrate his heritage in the Chiefs’ 38-35 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII. Over 200 players wore flags from countries such as Germany, Haiti, Italy and Nigeria this past season.”