During Kansas City Chiefs games, Isiah Pacheco plays with tremendous passion, dedicating his performances to his family, especially his siblings: Travoise, Ricky, Felicia, and Celeste.
Since being drafted into the NFL in 2022, the New Jersey native has celebrated two Super Bowl championships in his first two seasons, including a touchdown during his debut. As he enjoyed his second victory in February 2024 with his parents, Felicia “Jody” Cannon and Julio Pacheco, Isiah reflected on the absence of his siblings, particularly Travoise and Celeste, who tragically passed away in 2016 and 2017.
During his time as a student-athlete at Rutgers University, Isiah would often kneel in the end zone to connect with his siblings before returning to the game. “I’ll say a few prayers for my sister and my brother and a couple of people who passed in my life,” Isiah shared in a 2019 interview. “And then I just put everything on the line for my family in the stands.”
Isiah is the youngest of five siblings, which includes Travoise, Ricky, Felicia, and Celeste. The family originally lived in Bridgeton, New Jersey, before moving to Vineland, where Isiah played high school football. His mother recalled how young Isiah would charm his older siblings, particularly Celeste, to get what he wanted.
Felicia is the third child and is named after their mother, who is affectionately called “Jody.” Isiah honors his mother by wearing a gold necklace that says “Jody,” a name that holds special meaning for him.
Travoise, Isiah’s eldest brother, greatly influenced his football journey. They bonded over the sport, and after Travoise’s untimely death in 2016, Isiah transformed his grief into determination on the field. He often reflects on how much guidance and support he received from Travoise, who encouraged his young brother to pursue football.
Isiah also cherished his relationship with his late sister, Celeste. He fondly remembers her cooking, despite her tendency to burn some meals. Their father, Julio, highlighted Celeste’s ability to keep Isiah grounded, joking that she would humbly challenge him if she were alive to see his success today.
The family faced immense tragedy with Travoise’s murder in January 2016 when he was fatally stabbed. Despite being just 16, Isiah continues to honor his brother’s memory and expresses gratitude for the influence Travoise had on his life.
Again, the family suffered a devastating loss when Celeste was killed in May 2017, a death that deeply affected Isiah. He referred to her as his best friend and spoke about how he misses her dearly. Shortly after her death, he played exceptionally well on the field, believing she was watching over him.
Today, Isiah is also a present uncle to Celeste’s three children: daughters Tazjae and Tazirah Kamora and son Donald Scurry III. He draws inspiration from them and hopes his nephew will embrace football, saying, “it’s sad thinking that my sister could be holding him right now.” Isiah’s nieces recently introduced him to TikTok dances, which he enjoys showcasing during his touchdown celebrations.