deron cherry - 2024 guest speaker

Deron Cherry, born on September 12, 1959, in Riverside, NJ, grew up in Palmyra with his parents, Lillian and George, both educators, and his brother. An athletic standout from an early age, he excelled in youth baseball and football, benefiting from community support that provided safe places to play.

Cherry attended Rutgers University on a scholarship, where he played both football and baseball. Despite being approached by the Philadelphia Phillies, he chose to focus on his education, majoring in biology with aspirations of becoming a dentist.

After college, Cherry pursued professional football, going undrafted in 1980 but earning a tryout with Marv Levy and the Kansas City Chiefs as a punter. He was cut from the punter position, but a coach saw potential in him as a safety.

Cherry became one of the best free safeties in the NFL, earning six Pro Bowl selections from 1983 to 1988 and achieving six seasons with over 100 tackles. His career totals include 927 tackles, 50 interceptions (ranking him among the top in NFL history), and 15 fumble recoveries. He was a five-time All-Pro, five-time 1st team All-AFC and two-time 2nd team All-AFC selection and was recognized for his contributions off the field as well. In 1987, he was selected to the Chiefs 25-year All-Time Team and the Chiefs NFL Man of the Year and was named the Byron "Whizzer" White NFL Man of the Year Award in 1988. In addition, Deron Cherry is a member of the Chiefs Ring of Honor.

In retirement, Cherry has remained active in the Kansas City community through the Deron Cherry Foundation. He has also maintained a close relationship with the Chiefs, even receiving a Super Bowl ring in 2020.