Alex Smith

Eric Berry's return from cancer an emotional lift as Chiefs set sights on Super Bowl

Published Aug. 13, 2015 10:17 a.m. ET

foxsports

Every team wants the Lombardi Trophy, but sometimes real life gets in the way. That's exactly what happened for the Kansas City Chiefs when safety Eric Berry was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma.

When something like that happens, everything changes.

"It's not about playing," head coach Andy Reid told FOX Sports NFL insider Jay Glazer. "It's about, 'Is he going to be alive?' "

Quarterback Alex Smith echoed those sentiments, saying: "We weren't even worried about football. We were just worried about him getting healthy and getting better."

Berry was diagnosed in November, but was declared cancer-free by his doctors in June. He was OK'd to play shortly before the start of training camp and will likely start in the Chiefs' preseason opener on Saturday night.

"He's so excited to be back and doing what he loves to do," Smith said.

With that, the Chiefs are setting their sights on the Super Bowl. After finishing 11-5 and 9-7 in Reid's first two seasons, Smith said: "I think that Year 3 is a big deal."

He even threw in this tidbit: "We beat both Super Bowl teams (in the Patriots and Seahawks). We're the only team last year to do that."

Are the Chiefs Super Bowl-ready? Watch Glazer's interview with Reid and Smith above and find out.

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Alex Smith

Kansas City Chiefs

National Football League