Kansas City Chiefs  defensive leader Chris Jones  has emphasized the importance of playing football even as he copes with the loss of a family member

Chris Jones plays through grief to deliver a big win

Hours after attending his aunt’s funeral in Mississippi, the three-time All-Pro lineman suited up at Arrowhead Stadium and delivered a standout performance, helping the  Chiefs 37-20   W over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday afternoon.

Jones finished with a tackle-for-loss, a pass deflection, and two quarterback hits, setting the tone for a defense that needed a spark against one of the AFC’s toughest opponents.

“I would have opted to take some days off, deal with the grief and be with my family,” Jones said. “But we cope differently with grief, and mine is playing the game I love.”

Earlier in the day, Jones wore a simple black suit to the funeral service. By evening, he was walking into Arrowhead in the same suit before changing into the trademark No. 95 jersey.

“That red-and-white uniform means the world to me,” Jones said.

Even without giving out many details about his aunt, the defender admitted the loss has weighed heavily on him.

“It’s tough any time you lose someone you love and cherish. It’s emotional. But being around good energy, good people — it makes you feel good.”

Through the first four games of the season, Jones has recorded six tackles, two quarterback hits, and one sack. He is certain there is still more to come from him and the special team.

“We are making many step forwards as a team. But we gave up a huge run at the end of the game. 71-yard rush was not good on us given that the Ravens were averaging 2.3 yards per carry. I think those are the areas we can polish,” he added.

Since being drafted in the second round in 2016, Jones has earned six straight Pro Bowl selections and played an integral role in Kansas City’s four Super Bowl runs.

Patrick Mahomes on Chiefs’ togetherness

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said Jones’s presence meant everything to the team.

“Obviously we were praying for Chris, and we love him,” Mahomes said.

“We’re just happy to have him here, so we can be his brothers and support him. I think it made guys step up and want to play even harder for him. It speaks to the brotherhood we have here in the locker room.”

Andy Reid Weighs in

Head coach Andy Reid reminded everyone that situations like these put football in perspective. “I mean, that’s not something you’re planning or anything else,” Reid admitted. “So, you take care of that first, and then the game’s game comes secondary when you start dealing with life and death.”

Prior to Sunday’s match, Jones had been listed on the injury report as ‘non-injury related — personal’, with the Chiefs arranging a flight plan to get him back in time. “He had to do what he had to do there,” Reid explained.

The Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars play on Monday, Oct. 6, at the Jaguars’ EverBank Stadium in a game on the NFL Week 5 schedule.

Main Image: Jay Biggerstaff – Imagn Images