Reggie Ragland Settles Into The N.F.L.
KANSAS CITY, KAN.- “I’m very comfortable. This is simple football to me,” said Reggie Ragland, starting middle linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League.
The former All-State player at Bob Jones High and University of Alabama All-American recently celebrated his 25th birthday with 20 of his close friends and family members as they attend one of the Chiefs’ games and hosted a birthday gathering for the man they still call “T-Pac.”
“Yeah, they spoiled me giving me shoes and other gifts, but I’m not a materials type of person as I can buy my own stuff, but it was probably the best birthday celebration I’ve ever had,” said Ragland from the offices of the Chiefs.
Ragland should be able to buy his own as he signed a lucrative contract estimated at $1-million a year with Kansas City in August of 2017 after being traded by the Buffalo Bills, which drafted Ragland in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He played about a half of the season in 2017, but this year has made an impact by being among the top tacklers on the Chiefs’ defense as Kansas City has started the 2018 season at 4-0.
“I’m in the place where I wanted as I started off slow last season due to the knee injury I had in Buffalo, but I’ve made some big strides in the way I’m playing, so I truly feel I’m getting better and more comfortable as we go along,” said Ragland, 6-foot-2, 252-pounds. “A lot of the guys in the league may be more athletic, but as long as I take the angles I’ve learned to do and keep being aggressive as I’ve always have, I think I’ll be just fine.”
Upon his being drafted by the Bills, Ragland arrived in training camp eager to play up to his high expectations. While in pre-season workouts in 2016 he tore his ACL and missed the entire campaign. In his attempt to recover from the subsequent surgery, Ragland felt he was ready to play for the Bills, but the team traded him to Kansas City and he has faced diversity without blinking an eye or succumbing to fear of another injury.
Ragland arrived to the NFL by way of being a First Team All-American at Alabama and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year his senior season. He also played on two of the Crimson Tide’s National Championship teams in both 2012 and 2015. With his football history strongly in place with winning habits, it’s only natural he has set a goal for himself and his team during this current season.
“Win a Super Bowl. That’s what I’m about right now- winning,” said Ragland. “My personal goal is to always to get over a 100-plus tackles each year and also get a couple picks and a couple sacks. In addition, I’d like to be a pro bowler. I won a championship at just about every level I’ve played so I think it’s time to get one as a professional.”
Ragland said the Chiefs gave him a chance to showcase his skills and talents out on the field. He added, “Anytime you get that opportunity to play in the National Football League you can’t take it for granted as I try as best I can to play at a high level.”
He lives about a 20-minute drive from the Chief’s stadium and downtown Kansas City. He drives a new car he purchased for himself upon receiving his first paycheck wearing the red and white of the Chiefs. As for being homesick for his home in the Madison area, Ragland said with a chuckle, “What I miss most is my momma’s cookin’.”
