New Kansas QB Has Interesting Connection to KC Chiefs

Freshman QB Cole Ballard was unexpectedly thrust into action on Saturday after Jason Bean suffered an injury, though Kansas City Chiefs fans may be familiar with the young signal caller.

If you thought, "why does this name sound familiar?" like I did, then you were onto something.

As it turns out, Ballard has a special connection to the Chiefs and by extension, the Indianapolis Colts.

Kansas QB Cole Ballard is Former Chiefs' Executive Chris Ballard's Son

Chris Ballard spent parts of four seasons with the Chiefs, initially serving as the director of player personnel prior to a promotion to the director of football operations.

You might remember that Ballard was widely considered the favorite to become the Chiefs' next general manager prior to accepting the same position with the Indianapolis Colts in 2016, though Ballard was part of the brass that drafted Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill, and Marcus Peters.

While an unheralded prospect, Chris' son Cole earned a spot with Kansas as a walk-on and showed promise in the loss to Texas Tech. We don't yet know Jason Bean's status, so it's possible Cole will be under center for the Jayhawks against No. 23 Kansas State this Saturday.

Either way, it's fitting that Ballard's son is now thrust into a prominent role. Chris was once the heir apparent to lead the Chiefs, and now his offspring will potentially lead the Jayhawks.

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