NEW ORLEANS — Kareem Hunt’s season is ending with a trip to the Super Bowl. It is an unlikely destination when you consider where it started.

Hunt’s season began with workouts at his high school and trips to the local YMCA to stretch and hit the sauna.

It looked like his NFL career might be over at 29 years old.

The Browns had moved on from him after the 2023 season, when he only rushed for 411 yards. He kept working out, hoping to get another chance when the Chiefs called.

“I mean, I would be lying if I said those thoughts didn’t go through my head a little bit,” Hunt said Tuesday. “I just always had faith and I was like, somebody is going to need a running back here soon.”

The Chiefs had lost running back Isiah Pacheco to a fractured fibula and they wanted Hunt to return. Now, Hunt is playing in his first Super Bowl.

Back in 2018, it looked like Hunt would be part of a good, young Kansas City core that was ready to go on a long run of winning. He led the NFL in rushing as a rookie in 2017.

Then, Hunt’s time with the Chiefs ended abruptly when the team cut him in 2018 after a video surfaced of him shoving and kicking a woman in a H๏τel hallway. The Chiefs said Hunt was not honest with them about the incident and released him.

Hunt expressed remorse about the incident here Tuesday, saying, “It shouldn’t have happened.”

“I’m grateful to have a second chance,” Hunt said. “Redemption means to me, I’ve got to make the most of it now.”

Hunt signed with the Browns in 2019 and watched from afar as his old teammates with the Chiefs began a historic run. They won the Super Bowl that year and have won two more since.

“I was hurt about it, honestly,” Hunt said when asked what it was like to watch the Chiefs win from Cleveland.

For Hunt, he knows that his transgression changed the course of his career.

“Honestly, you know, it’s like I almost should have never left,” Hunt said.

On Tuesday, Hunt spoke about his growth since the incident.

“It changed me,” Hunt said. “I was at the top. I led the league in rushing, did a whole bunch of stuff and everything was going good, and then to get knocked back down to the bottom where it all started. You have to find a way to rebuild it back up to the top.”

When Hunt returned to the Chiefs in September, they did not give him time to ease his way in. He had 14, 27 and 22 carries in his first three games.

“We pulled him off the couch and threw him in there,” coach Andy Reid said. “He sure handled it well.”

Hunt ran for 102 yards against the Saints in his second game and became a key part of the Chiefs offense with Pacheco out. Even when Pacheco returned, Hunt stayed an important piece. He has a rushing touchdown in his past four games, including the two playoff games. He had 17 carries for 64 yards against the Bills in the AFC Championship game.

Hunt could play a critical role in Sunday’s Super Bowl against the Eagles. Philadelphia surely will try to slow down Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs pᴀssing attack.

That could open things up for Hunt.

Hunt was soaking it all in on Tuesday. Just a few months ago, he was working out at a high school, hoping for another sH๏τ.

“I’m just grateful to be able to come back where it all started,” Hunt said, “and hopefully finish it out and do the unthinkable and three-peat.”