Lee's Summit High School football coach Eric Thomas may have some conflicted feelings when he and his son go to the Chiefs game at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday.
Thomas doesn't usually go to games in person, but he wants to be there to see his former quarterback, Drew Lock, make the start for the Denver Broncos.
Thomas says he and his staff at Lee's Summit High School knew the kid would be a remarkable player when he showed up before his freshman year.
"You just watch him throw, and the ball just kind of jumps out of his hand, even at a young age," Thomas said. "Then you see the charisma, the energy and the enthusiasm for what he's doing, and you just know he's going to be a special leader."
"We're going to be loyal to Drew Lock," Thomas said. "That doesn't mean that the Broncos necessarily have to win the game. Obviously, we want to see Drew play well and be successful. My loyalties are to a kid I coached, and have a pretty close relationship to his family."
The Broncos are struggling this season with a record of 5-8, but they won their last two games with Lock taking over the starting job at quarterback. In those victories over the Los Angeles Chargers and Houston Texans, Lock threw for 443 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions.
The Chiefs (9-4) host the Broncos (5-8) at 12:00 p.m. Sunday.