Isiah Pacheco, the Kansas City Chiefs running back, channels his energy on the field to honor his late siblings, Travoise and Celeste, along with his other family members, Ricky and Felicia. Since joining the NFL in 2022, the New Jersey native has celebrated winning the Super Bowl in both of his initial seasons, marking a touchdown during his debut game. As he celebrated winning his second championship in February 2024, surrounded by his parents, Felicia “Jody” Cannon and Julio Pacheco, his thoughts remained with his deceased siblings.
Travoise and Celeste passed away in 2016 and 2017, respectively, leaving Isiah with a deep sense of loss. During his time at Rutgers University, he would often take a moment in the end zone to pray for them before continuing with the game. “I’ll say a few prayers for my sister and my brother and a couple of people who passed in my life,” he shared in a 2019 interview, emphasizing that he plays for his family watching him from the stands.
Isiah is the youngest of five siblings, with Travoise being the eldest, followed by Ricky, Felicia, and Celeste. The family originally lived in Bridgeton, New Jersey, before settling in Vineland, where Isiah played high school football. His mother fondly recalls how young Isiah could persuade his older siblings to cater to his desires, despite being the youngest.
Felicia is named after their mother, who is affectionately called “Jody” within the family. Isiah has a gold necklace with “Jody” inscribed on it, a tribute to his mother. Both Felicia and Ricky tend to maintain a low profile, contrasting Isiah’s public persona.
Isiah fondly remembers his relationship with Travoise, who encouraged him to play football. After Travoise died, Isiah channeled his grief into his game, recalling how his brother used to cheer him on from the sidelines. He often reflects on how Travoise would be amazed by his accomplishments in the NFL.
Isiah also cherished his bond with his sister Celeste. He fondly remembers her cooking, even joking about her culinary skills compared to their mother’s. Their father, Julio, pointed out that Celeste kept Isiah grounded, teasing him about his success had she been alive.
The family’s struggles began in January 2016 when Travoise was tragically murdered. At just 16, Isiah faced the painful loss but drew strength from the memories they shared. A year later, the family experienced another tragedy with Celeste’s death, which deeply affected Isiah. He described her as a best friend and felt a significant void in her absence, but he continued to play, using football as a way to cope.
In honor of Celeste, who left behind three children, Isiah draws inspiration from his nieces and nephew, hoping to introduce them to football. He often reflects on how proud his sister would be of him today and finds joy in the memories they shared. Recently, he has enjoyed learning TikTok dances from his nieces, showcasing their routines during his touchdown celebrations.