'I'm going to remember. . .' — Chiefs LB Jeffrey Bassa bringing three-word mantra and an underdog mentality to Kansas City
As a prospect, the NFL Draft process can test you. You can do everything right leading up to it — transition to a position you've never played before, earn a leadership role on your team, become a defensive MVP in a bowl game, interview well with teams, test and measure up in the pre-draft process — […]
As a prospect, the NFL Draft process can test you.
You can do everything right leading up to it — transition to a position you've never played before, earn a leadership role on your team, become a defensive MVP in a bowl game, interview well with teams, test and measure up in the pre-draft process — and you still find yourself waiting for your name to be called.
It can be mentally challenging as prospects wait to recognize their lifelong dreams of playing in the NFL. You can question yourself and everything leading up to that moment. Self-doubt can start to creep in.
For new Chiefs LB Jeffrey Bassa, he didn't let it get to him. He was aided by a three-pronged mantra that he lives by.
“The draft is – a lot of crazy things happen," Bassa said. "It really tests your patience, and patience is one of the main things that I live by. Faith, ambition, and patience are the three things that I live by every day."
Even with his mantra, Bassa does have a bit of a chip on his shoulder. 11 linebackers were selected before he heard his name called in the 2025 NFL Draft. He vowed to remember each one of their names for a particular purpose.
"I’m sitting there with my family, and there’s a lot of linebackers going off board and teams have their needs," Bassa said. "I’m for sure going to remember every linebacker that came off the board before me and use that as fuel and motivation, for sure, because that’s just the dog that I am and the person that I am."
While Bassa has the self-confidence to believe he is a better player than each of those 11 linebackers drafted before him, he expressed gratitude for landing in Kansas City. The Chiefs' conviction in moving up to get him before another team could show something important: They believe him, just as he believes in himself.
"Just sitting there being patient, but then, as well as for them to say that and (the Chiefs) to be surprised that I am still on the board, them having the trust and belief in me," Bassa explained. "That says a lot about what they think of me. I’m so blessed and grateful that they traded up future picks or whatever picks it was to be able to come and get me. I’m so blessed to be a part of this organization now.”