Chris Jones Faced the Ravens With His Heart Shattered, Having Attended a Funeral Just Hours Before Kickoff—The Chiefs DT Fought Through Grief, Saying ‘Football Is My Escape,’ and Delivered a Performance That Sparked Awe, Tears, and Unbelievable Respect Across the League.

Chris Jones Emotionally Reflects on Playing Chiefs Game Hours After Attending Aunt's Funeral: 'My Escape'

Chris Jones Overcomes Heartbreak and Delivers for Chiefs After Emotional Weekend

Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones battled more than just the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday—he fought through a whirlwind of emotions after losing a beloved family member.

After joining his teammates for a Saturday walkthrough, Jones boarded a flight to Mississippi to attend the funeral of his Aunt Don. The journey was both physically and emotionally taxing. Yet, with the unwavering support of the Chiefs organization, Jones was able to honor his family and still suit up for the big game.

Big Chris Jones News Announced Before Chiefs-Ravens Game on Sunday - Athlon Sports

Jones touched down in Kansas City just after 2:40 p.m. on Sunday, barely an hour before kickoff. Thanks to a carefully coordinated plan by the Chiefs staff, he arrived at Arrowhead Stadium in time to take the field.

“They were very supportive and understanding,” Jones said after the Chiefs’ decisive 37-20 victory over the Ravens. “We had it all planned out—the funeral schedule and the travel, so I could still make the game and be there for my family. I’m super appreciative of the team for making it possible.”

Despite the heavy heart, Jones delivered another standout performance, tallying a tackle for loss, a pass deflection, and two quarterback hits. With the Chiefs comfortably ahead for most of the second half, Jones was able to rest, playing a season-low 38 snaps.

Football is my escape' - Chiefs DT Chris Jones experienced a wave of emotions after attending funeral and playing vs. Ravens - A to Z Sports

For Jones, the game provided a much-needed escape from the sorrow weighing on him. “Those are my brothers,” he shared. “I love being around them. We spend so much time together, and they’ve been incredibly supportive through this whole process. Early in the game, it was tough, but football is my escape. For a few hours, I can forget reality and just feel like a kid playing in the backyard again.”

Chris Jones’ resilience and dedication shone through on Sunday, proving that sometimes, the strongest performances come from the heart—even when it’s hurting