Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones wept at the rendition of the national anthem before his team played the Houston Texans in the playoffs – and fans were certain it was a good omen for the Super Bowl winners.
Cameras cut to Jones, one the key men for the Chiefs who is back in the team after a calf issue, with tears running down his face at Arrowhead Stadium.
Jones also cried during the national anthem when the Chiefs won the Super Bowl in Las Vegas last year against San Francisco 49ers.
And the members of Chiefs Kingdom watching on from home thought that Jones’ tears were a good sign.
‘Chris Jones crying again. Chiefs by 50,’ one fan wrote.
Another said: ‘Chris Jones shedding tears during the national anthem again you know what that means.’
Chris Jones was in tears at the national anthem before Kansas City Chiefs vs Houston Texans
A similar post read: ‘Chris Jones tear alert, hopefully a good sign for today.’
The Chiefs fan account Chiefs Hive posted: ‘Chris Jones shed a tear in the anthem. When he does this the Chiefs are undefeated. I actually don’t know if that is true but it feels like it.’
Cameras cut to him again close to the end of the first quarter and he appeared tearful once again, with the Chiefs leading 6-3. But Chiefs fans were right with their pre-game premonitions, as the Chiefs went on to win 23-14.
Jones, 30, also seemed emotional before the game – NFL reporter James Palmer shared video of Jones appearing to pray in the tunnel at Arrowhead before heading out onto the field.
‘Chris Jones takes a moment to be alone before taking the field,’ Palmer wrote with the footage.
He started the game in full force, however, recording an early sack on Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud.
Jones has played for the Chiefs since they picked him in the second round of the Draft in 2016.
He’s a three-time Super Bowl champion, with his team this year in pursuit of what would be an historic third straight title.
‘We care about Super Bowls, and that’s what we play for; that’s what we care about,’ Jones said in the buildup this week. ‘That’s the most important thing.’
Jones sacked Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud in the first quarter at Arrowhead
In March 2024, Jones signed a five-year contract with the Chiefs worth $158.75million.
If the Chiefs win on Saturday, they will play the winner of Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills next.
The winner of that will advance to the Super Bowl in New Orleans on Feb. 9.
