It's been pretty common to say that the Kansas City Chiefs (13-1) shouldn't have the record they have, but that's just fuel for the fire of back-to-back champions.
Sure, the Chiefs won multiple games on their final possession and the ball bounced their way many times, literally and figuratively.
But Chiefs safety Justin Reid literally thanks those who doubt what the Chiefs can do in the playoffs.
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Justin Reid #20 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates a defensive stop against the Las Vegas Raiders during the fourth quarter of the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on November 29, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (David Eulitt/Getty Images)
“Thank you for the motivation. We appreciate the motivation that people give us,” Reid told Fox News Digital in a recent interview. “Despite winning two championships in a row, despite everything they said last year, they still don't believe. And we appreciate that. That makes us excited when we hear it. I like the extra motivation. It excites me.” and it leads me to go out to prove a point.
“They never have to [learn]. “We'll keep showing up.”
Reid has won two Super Bowls with the Chiefs, but his ring in February wasn't the only championship he won this year. He also took home the Chess.com BlitzChamps title.
Reid was always intrigued by chess, but took it more seriously when he entered the NFL and now it has become something of a locker room staple.
“We have a tradition where we play every night before the game. Right when we finish team meetings, I have a chess board in my locker, the guys come over and we play quick five-minute games. The guys from the front office come over “Players play, and if you win, you stay, you lose and you get back in line,” Reid said.
Kansas City Chiefs safety Justin Reid (20) in the fourth quarter of an NFL game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Kansas City Chiefs on September 15, 2024 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO . (Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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The safety added that it has become a combination of superstition and brain activation before a game.
“You can't always go too deep into something. It's nice to stop thinking about a topic and do something else. I think it's fun and it's become a tradition that we always do that now.” he says.
NFL Films will release a documentary about Reid's chess title and how other NFL stars have gotten involved. The title also gave Reid the chance to raise money for his own charity.
“Everyone uses the same 'it's a game of chess,' whether it's football, business or whatever's going on,” Reid said, adding that it's a good way for people to connect. “It's a way to use tactics and be three steps ahead of your opponent. It's fun that they're promoting it. I think it's good and I think it's a fun game for anyone.”
Reid faces his former Houston Texans on Saturday afternoon as the Chiefs are down the stretch. And considering he's a back-to-back reigning champion, he knows exactly what it takes to take home another Lombardi Trophy.
Justin Reid #20 of the Kansas City Chiefs poses for a portrait with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ryan Kang/Getty Images)
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“You want to play your best football heading into the playoffs, and we don't feel like we've played our best football, which is great,” Reid said. “There are still ways to build, there are still things to do to keep improving. It's just about not being satisfied and the preparation each week. The physical aspect will take care of itself, but whoever is mentally prepared and doesn't make those mental mistakes when La pressure will be the difference. We have been here before, we will continue to do so.
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