Topeka native Mike Pennel gearing up for year four with Chiefs

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KSNT) - Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle is Mike Pennel is entering his fourth season with the team, though his ties to Northeast Kansas date back much farther.

Pennel was born in Topeka, but spent his high school days in Colorado. He's now a 10-year NFL veteran who has somewhat of a complicated history in the league, but adds even more experienced presence to Kansas City's defensive line.

He's currently in his second stint with the team, playing for the Chiefs in 2019-20 before rejoining the squad in 2023. Pennel came back to KC just in time to be part of the Chiefs' second-straight Super Bowl victory, but that's not the only reason he wanted to return.

"It’s the atmosphere," Pennel said. "The first year I was here with the guys and the relationships that I built with, won the Super Bowl. Coach Reid, he demands success out of everyone. There’s no vet days here, so that’s why you see older players here playing at a high level because there are no shortcuts, there are no days off. I think all of that plays into coming back to Kansas City."

When asked if it's a surreal feeling to play for the team that's roughly an hour from where he was born, Pennel answered with a smile.

"I think I'll do that at the end," Pennel said. "Right now, I'm just living in the moment, working on the next goal, trying to be the best teammate for my teammates here and the best player I can for the Kansas City Chiefs."

The Chiefs' first 2024 preseason game is against Jacksonville on Saturday, August 10.