KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - The Kansas City Chiefs are bringing back versatile defensive back Ron Parker on a five-year, $30 million contract, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Chiefs have not announced the deal.
Parker's hometown newspaper, The Beaufort Gazette of South Carolina, was first to report Saturday that the free agent was returning to Kansas City.
Justin Turner, who represents Parker, fielded no shortage of offers for the fourth-year pro after a breakout year with the Chiefs. Parker split time at cornerback and safety, starting 15 of the 16 games he played last season. He finished with 94 tackles and an interception.
Parker is one of the most honored players in Newberry College history. He was named a first team All-American by D2Football.com and Don Hansen's Football Gazette, a second team All-American by Daktronics and a third team Little All-American by the Associated Press following his 2010 season. He earned preseason All-American honors from Lindy's, The Sporting News and Consensus Draft Services prior to the season.
In 2010, Parker led the South Atlantic Conference in interceptions and fumble recoveries and made 59 tackles. Parker finished the regular season ranked 14th nationally in interceptions with 0.56 per game, and was one of fewer than 20 players at all levels of collegiate football to record eight takeaways, snagging five interceptions and recovering three fumbles. He had a career-best 16 tackles at Mars Hill and had a defensive takeaway in six of his nine games played, including two straight games with two takeaways and three straight games with a fumble recovery, including a 72-yard fumble return for a touchdown against Catawba.
In addition to his four postseason All-American honors, Parker was named first team all-Super Region Two by Don Hansen's Football Gazette and Daktronics and played in the 2011 Cactus Bowl all-star game, where he made four tackles. He was also named first team all-South Atlantic Conference and earned all-South Carolina honors from the Orangeburg Touchdown Club.
