During the KC Chiefs’ worst period, Romeo Crennel showed leadership.

Initially hired by Western Kentucky as a defensive line coach, Crennel also worked for a number of NFL teams, including the Giants, Patriots, Chiefs, Texans, Browns, and Jets. As an NFL assistant defensive coach, Crennel was wildly successful and retired as an assistant coach for five Super Bowls.

Crennel joined the Kansas City Chiefs in 2010 as their defensive coordinator. The 2010 season was a triumph, as the Chiefs secured a postseason trip and their first AFC West title in a long time. But the Chiefs fans’ dream sequel did not materialize in the 2011 season. Following a devastating defeat to the New York Jets in Week 14, the Chiefs finished with a 7-9 record, and head coach Todd Haley was let go.

After Haley was fired, Crennel took over as a temporary coach. The 5-8 Chiefs surprised the then-unbeaten Green Bay Packers in his debut game as an interim head coach. That huge upset, though, was hardly a portent of things to come. Quite the contrary—the upset proved to be the high point of Crennel’s head coaching career.

Romeo Crennel should be commended for his leadership throughout the Kansas City Chiefs’ difficult period.

For the 2012 campaign, Crennel was appointed head coach of the Chiefs. Undoubtedly, the 2012 season proved to be one of the worst in Chiefs history, and the hope that had been generated during his interim tenure in 2011 did not carry over.

The girlfriend of Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher was murdered on December 1st, 2012. Romeo Crennel and General Manager Scott Pioli witnessed him commit suicide when he drove to the Chiefs’ practice site. Crennel begged Belcher to stop killing himself, telling him he still had hope and that life was not over, even though he was unaware of what Belcher had done at the time.

The Chiefs defeated the Carolina Panthers the following day, on December 2, 2012, although the outcome is irrelevant. Re-playing that game is difficult. Watching the clips, it is painfully evident that the coaches and players of the Chiefs were playing while grieving.After winning, Crennel stated he made an effort to maintain composure in the locker room by concentrating on the welfare of the men within the building.

After the 2012 season, Crennel was let go by the Chiefs. Points per game were where the 2-14 Chiefs came in dead last. Out of all the offensives, they came in the worst. They had a subpar defense, few offensive weapons (Jamaal Charles excepted), and no answer at quarterback. With the hiring of Andy Reid as their new coach in the offseason, the Chiefs created quite a stir. In a matter of years, the Chiefs would win a Super Bowl and draft the best quarterback in team history.

At their lowest point, Crennel led the Chiefs. He was not a very good player.To be honest, the Chiefs played absolutely terrible under him.Well, that’s the football part.

There’s still more to it.What Crennel saw was horrifying. In a time of hopelessness, he displayed leadership. His players meant a lot to him. For the remainder of that 2012 season, he stuck to his plan. Though his time in Kansas City was brief, he showed courage when called upon. These aren’t little matters. Appreciating Crennel’s tenure in Kansas City should also not be controversial. Saying you respect Crennel does not imply that, at least during his tenure in Kansas City, he was a perfect football coach or that he accomplished everything.