Why Chris Jones was crying before, during and after Chiefs’ AFC championship

The Kansas City Chiefs moved one step closer to making NFL history, and star defensive lineman Chris Jones was crying.  During a stirring rendition of the national anthem ahead of Sunday’s AFC championship game, sung by Navy petty officer first class Generald Wilson, tears streamed down Jones’ face just like they did ahead of the Chiefs’ divisional round win over the Houston Texans. With less than two minutes left in the fourth quarter, as Kansas City clung to a late lead thanks to a fourth-and-1 stand by Jones and the Chiefs defense, the former Mississippi State standout was spotted once more with what appeared to be a mixture of tears and sweat while watching from the bench.

And then, after Patrick Mahomes and the offense had clinched Kansas City’s fifth AFC title, the emotions overflowed from Jones on the sideline.  These became enduring and endearing images to emerge from the Chiefs’ 32-29 win over the Buffalo Bills, a game Jones later called “a very special moment for us.”  “Tonight was one of the biggest games I ever played, just what’s at stake and the opportunity to go back three times to the Super Bowl,” Jones told ESPN. “Just the magnitude of that, you can’t really take it in until it’s over. You’ve got so many emotions running through.”

Jones has again been a dominant force for the Chiefs’ defense playing all over the defensive line, and his excellence is as much a part of their dynasty as Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce. The Houston, Mississippi native earned first team All-Pro honors for the third consecutive year in 2024. Though he registered only one assisted tackle and two QB hits against the Bills on Sunday, the attention Jones draws from opposing teams helps free up others on the defense to make plays.

All the emotions for Chris Jones and the Chiefs 🫶 #BUFvsKC pic.twitter.com/s2HCJO1IbJ

— NFL (@NFL) January 27, 2025

That scheme, and the man behind it, also elicited praise from Jones. When asked by ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt about Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and the cornerback blitz that gave Kansas City its final fourth-down stop, Jones used his answer to take a jab at decision makers around the NFL – and issue a warning.

“As long as they continue to let Spags be our DC and not hire him as a head coach, we’re going to continue to win,” Jones said. “For me, he’s one of the greatest assistant coaches to coach the game. You look at his resume, he’s got one of the greatest resumes and he found a way to close. That’s what Spags does.”  Kansas City will now attempt to become the first team to win three consecutive Super Bowls when it faces the Philadelphia Eagles on Feb. 9 in New Orleans.