For this game, Chiefs star Chris Jones needed his team as much as it needed him
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Chiefs defeated Ravens 37-20 in their strongest performance of the 2025 season.
- Chris Jones contributed key defensive plays just hours after a family funeral.
- Team support and camaraderie helped Jones manage grief and stay game-ready.
On a day when Chris Jones needed his teammates as much as they needed him, the Chiefs played their best game of the season in a 37-20 home triumph over the Baltimore Ravens.
Jones was part of a defense that pressured and hounded Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, contributing two quarterback hurries, a tackle for loss and deflected pass.
All of this after arriving at the stadium some 30 minutes before kickoff from his native Mississippi, where hours earlier he had attended the funeral of a beloved aunt.
“It’s tough, anytime you lose a loved one, someone you cherish and care about,” Jones said. “It’s emotional. It’s tough.”
Leaning on teammates and coaches helped Jones through the day.
“There’s a lot of love,” Jones said. “Those are my brothers, I love them. I spent like 80 percent of my time with them.”
His teammates returned the love throughout the weekend. Jones left Kansas City on Saturday and was placed on the team’s official injury report for personal reasons. He wasn’t given a designation, like “questionable” or “doubtful.”
The players were prepared to give Jones whatever emotional support was needed, just as Jones supplies that type of passion to the defense.
“You see him walk enter the locker room, the energy personality he is, it gets the guys going,” said linebacker Leo Chenal.
Still, it took careful planning to get Jones to the stadium in time for the 3:25 p.m., kickoff. He didn’t warm up with the team, and although he started, he sat out a few snaps during the first series as the Ravens drove for a touchdown.
After that, over the next five drives of the first half, the Ravens managed only a final-play field goal. This from a Ravens team that entered the game leading the NFL in points and ranked second in total yards.
Chenal contributed a game-changing interception — Lamar Jackson’s first of the season, and one of two Chiefs takeaways for the second straight game. They came up a pair of sacks, three tackles for loss and held the NFL’s most potent offense to a season low in points.
Patrick Mahomes didn’t rule out a rallying spirit for their teammate.
“I think it made guys want to step up and play even harder for him,” Mahomes said. “For him to want to be back here with us in times he’s in right now speaks to the brotherhood we have in our locker room.”
Jones said the Chiefs were “super accommodating” during this difficult time.
“They were very supportive and they were very understanding,” Jones said. “I’m super appreciative of them for understanding.”
A loud ovation greeted Jones when he was announced with the defensive starters. Only minutes earlier he was wearing the black suit and thin tie from the funeral and plane ride.
Now, as he ran on the field, Jones was in his unform and pads, soaking up the environment.
“It let me feel the fun, feel the love, the energy in Arrowhead Stadium,” Jones said. “My brothers, the fans. I wanted to get away from the sentimental part of it and just have fun.”