The story behind the ‘Heisman’ trick play Jerrick McKinnon and Rashee Rice combined to score a touchdown

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In his illustrious head coaching career, Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs have pulled off some memorable trick plays.

From the Poe Package with a handoff to 346-pound Dontari Poe to the Chiefs Super Bowl trick play versus the 49ers in 2019, Reid and his staff always seems to conjure up something great.

Whether they work or not football fans remember them, like the famous snow globe from 2022.

With the Chiefs on a two-game losing streak and the offense in a funk, Matt Nagy the team’s offensive coordinator, part of the famous Andy Reid coaching tree, dusted off an old play from way back when.

In the opening quarter at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, KC found the end zone with an atypical score, which didn’t look all that special watching it live, but one that goes back a long time.

“The Heisman“

Flea-flickers, sweeps, option plays, plays where quarterbacks become receivers, or plays where running backs throw the ball aren’t all that uncommon in today’s NFL.

That’s why it seemed rather ordinary when Jerrick McKinnon threw a shovel pass to Rashee Rice for a touchdown for the opening score Sunday.

According to NBC’s Peter King, though, that particular play is something Nagy stumbled upon.

Nagy is a football historian and came across a play that dates back 80 years.

That play originally occured in 1940 during a Penn-Columbia college football game.

“Heisman” as it’s known is a play that Nagy fell in love with and Reid got on board with.

Patrick Mahomes ,Travis Kelce, McKinnon, and Rice are in a three-point stance, but aligned at different depths.

The Chiefs QB, though, is a mere decoy, with the snap going to McKinnon, who tosses it to Rice on a cross.

“It’s tough to stop,” Reid said after the game.

“When we thought about it, I’m going, ‘That one we can do.’ Those guys worked hours on the ball-handling and stuff.”

Getting Creative

Sometimes, a little trickery can dramatically change the complexion of a game; it’s been seen countless times before.

It’s hard to say this one changed the game, but it shows Nagy’s sharper than many give him credit for.

Knowing the creativity of Reid, and now Nagy and Mahomes, we know they’re capable of doing something special.

While things are rarely working well for the Chiefs offensively in 2023, this team has experience with trickery.

In the past the Chiefs have shown that they aren’t afraid to try something new regardless of the result.

That’s perhaps where this offensive unit might be able to surprise teams come playoff time.

For as much game film and preparation opposing teams watch, KC still seems to catch the opposition off guard.

Overall, KC must improve offensively to return to the Super Bowl, but creativity might be the ace up their sleeve.