Thornton certainly looked the part of an ailing player after the game. He wore a tape wrap just below his knee, holding in place a black garbage bag that covered his injured ankle.
“Praying for you, Ty,” Chiefs left guard Mike Caliendo said as Thornton passed him.
Except … that malaise wasn’t going to stand for Thornton. He began to smile when he was around his fellow receivers, telling jokes while looking to lift their spirits — and perhaps his own, too.
“I’m trying to celebrate,” Thornton deadpanned with a laugh after seeing his concerned teammates, which gave his teammates, such as Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy, permission to smile along with him.