Isiah Pacheco Bio
Isiah Pacheco, nicknamed “Pop,” is an American professional football running back currently playing for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). Born in Vineland, New Jersey, he rose from a late-round draft pick to become a key contributor on a championship-winning team. Pacheco played college football for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights before being selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL draft. In his first two professional seasons, he won Super Bowl LVII and Super Bowl LVIII, establishing himself as one of the most resilient young backs in the league.
Early Life and Background
Isiah Pacheco was born on March 2, 1999, in Vineland, New Jersey, to Felicia Cannon and Julio Pacheco. He is the youngest of five siblings and comes from a diverse background, with Puerto Rican heritage on his father’s side and African-American heritage on his mother’s side. Growing up in Vineland, Pacheco was surrounded by football from a young age and developed a tough, determined mindset shaped by both the sport and his family experiences.
He played Pop Warner Football for the Vineland Blitz in Cumberland County, New Jersey, before attending Vineland High School. At Vineland, Pacheco lined up at both quarterback and running back, showcasing his versatility and competitive drive. During his senior year, he led the Fighting Clan to a victory in the Thanksgiving Day Classic against rival Millville Senior High School, a performance that helped put him on the radar of college recruiters.
Path to American Football
Pacheco was heavily recruited by several football programs along the East Coast, including Syracuse, Maryland, Rutgers, and Virginia Tech. On June 21, 2017, he committed to Rutgers University, choosing to stay in his home region and continue his development as a running back. His path to Rutgers was built on years of local competition and a strong senior season that demonstrated his ability to carry a team’s offense.
Once at Rutgers, Pacheco saw consistent playing time across all four of his collegiate seasons, becoming a dependable presence in the backfield. He rushed 563 times for 2,442 yards at a 4.3 yards-per-carry average and scored 18 rushing touchdowns, while also catching 47 passes for 249 yards and one score. A standout performance came on August 20, 2019, when he ran for 156 yards and four touchdowns against Massachusetts. Following his college career, he was selected to participate in the 2022 Hula Bowl and the East-West Shrine Bowl, both of which helped raise his profile as a draft prospect.
Isiah Pacheco Career
Early Career (2022)
Isiah Pacheco was selected in the seventh round with the 251st overall pick of the 2022 NFL draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. He made an immediate impression in his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals, scoring his first career rushing touchdown on a 3-yard run. He earned his first career start in Week 7 against the San Francisco 49ers and later posted a career-high 107 rushing yards on 15 carries in a Week 11 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Pacheco finished his rookie regular season with 830 rushing yards and 130 receiving yards, totaling 960 scrimmage yards and five rushing touchdowns, while also returning 29 kickoffs for 597 yards. He then served as the Chiefs’ starting running back in Super Bowl LVII, recording 76 yards and a touchdown as Kansas City defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35. Following the season, Pacheco underwent surgeries to repair a torn labrum and a broken hand, injuries he later stated he had played through during the Super Bowl.
Kansas City Chiefs Breakthrough (2023-2024)
In his second season, Pacheco continued to grow into a featured role. In Week 4 of 2023 against the New York Jets, he produced 158 scrimmage yards and a rushing touchdown in a victory. He added two rushing touchdowns against the Raiders in Week 12 and tallied 130 rushing yards plus a receiving touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17. Appearing in 14 games and starting 13, he finished 2023 with 205 carries for 935 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns, adding 44 receptions for 244 receiving yards and two receiving scores. He scored a rushing touchdown in each of the Chiefs’ first three playoff games and capped the year by helping Kansas City win Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers 25-22, rushing for 59 yards and catching six passes for 33 yards in the victory. He made history in 2024 as the only running back in NFL history to win two Super Bowls in his first two seasons.
Pacheco returned as Kansas City’s starting running back in 2024 but suffered a fractured fibula in Week 2 and was placed on injured reserve on September 18, 2024. He was activated on November 28, 2024, and returned for the Week 13 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. He finished the 2024 season with 83 carries for 310 yards and one touchdown in seven games and played in Super Bowl LIX, recording 12 scrimmage yards in a 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Detroit Lions Era (2026-Present)
On March 12, 2026, Pacheco signed a one-year, $1.81 million contract with the Detroit Lions, beginning a new chapter in his professional career. The move followed a 2025 season in which he recorded 118 carries for 462 yards and one rushing touchdown, along with 19 receptions for 101 yards and a receiving touchdown. His signing with Detroit gives the Lions a battle-tested back with championship experience.
Notable Events and Milestones
Pacheco’s most defining moments came on the Super Bowl stage, where he started Super Bowl LVII as a rookie and helped lift the Chiefs to victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. A year later, he played a key role in Kansas City’s Super Bowl LVIII win over the San Francisco 49ers, part of a repeat championship run. He also became the only running back in NFL history to win two Super Bowls in his first two NFL seasons, an unusual feat that cemented his place in league history.
Isiah Pacheco Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Isiah Pacheco was raised in Vineland, New Jersey, by his mother, Felicia Cannon, and his father, Julio Pacheco. He is the youngest of five siblings and grew up in a household shaped by both Puerto Rican and African-American heritage. Football was a central part of his upbringing, and he carried the lessons of his family and community into every step of his career.
Personal Life
Pacheco has spoken publicly about the tragedies his family has endured, including the death of his brother Travoise Cannon in January 2016 and the murder of his sister Celeste Cannon in September 2017. He honors both siblings with a tattoo mural on his right arm, alongside other tattoos representing New Jersey, Vineland High School, and Rutgers University, all central parts of his identity and journey.
2025 Season Performance
Isiah Pacheco’s 2025 season with the Kansas City Chiefs was a steady but injury-interrupted campaign. He finished the year with 118 carries for 462 yards and one rushing touchdown, while also contributing 19 receptions for 101 yards and a receiving touchdown. After years of heavy usage, his role was managed carefully, and his production reflected both his continued reliability and the physical toll of his previous workloads.
Heading into the next phase of his career, Pacheco entered free agency looking for a fresh opportunity, which led to his March 2026 signing with the Detroit Lions. The one-year deal gave him a chance to redefine his role on a new team while bringing his postseason experience to a Detroit backfield. His performance in 2025 showed that he remained a capable runner and receiver, even as he looked ahead to a new environment and a new offensive system.
