It's a rather cliche that the 13-1 Kansas City Chiefs shouldn't be like this, but it only adds fuel to the fire for the back-to-back champions.
Sure, the Chiefs have won multiple games on their last possession, and the ball has bounced many times, both literally and figuratively.
But Chiefs safety Justin Reid is thankful for the people who literally doubted what the Chiefs could do in the playoffs.
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Kansas City Chiefs No. 20 Justin Reid celebrates a defensive stop during the fourth quarter of a game against the Las Vegas Raiders on November 29, 2024 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (David Urit/Getty Images)
“Thank you for the motivation. I appreciate the motivation that people give us,” Reed told FOX News Digital in a recent interview. “Whatever they said last year, even though they won the championship two years in a row, they still don't believe it. And we're grateful for that. It cheers us up to hear that. I like that extra motivation. It energizes me and I have to go out there to prove my point.
“They don't have to[learn]at all. We just keep showing up.”
Reid won two Super Bowls with the Chiefs, but the February ring wasn't his only win this year. He also won Chess.com's BlitzChamps title.
Reid has always had an interest in chess, but he started taking it more seriously after entering the NFL, where it's now a locker room staple.
“We have a tradition of playing before the game every night. As soon as the team meeting ends, we put a chess board in the locker and the players come in and play a quick five-minute game. Front Office Players , players play, if they win they stay, if they lose they go back in line,” Reid said.
Justin Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs, 20, during the fourth quarter of an NFL game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. ) was made safe. (Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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Add safety and it's a combination of superstition and pre-game brain activation.
“You can't always get too deep into anything. It's nice to take a break from one subject and do something else. I think it's fun and it's become a bit of a tradition to do it all the time. ” he says.
NFL Films will release a documentary about Reid's chess title and how other NFL stars have been involved. This title enabled Reid to raise funds for his philanthropic efforts.
“No matter what's going on, whether it's football or business, everyone uses the same phrase, 'It's a game of chess,'” Reid said, adding that it's a good way for people to connect. “It's a way to use tactics and stay three steps ahead of your opponent. It's fun that they're promoting that. I think it's good and I think it's a fun game for anyone to play. I think so.”
Reid will face his former team, the Houston Texans, on Saturday afternoon when the Chiefs are in their final home area. And considering he's a back-to-back champion, he knows exactly what it will take to bring home the Lombardi Trophy once again.
Justin Reid #20 of the Kansas City Chiefs holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy after Super Bowl III vs. the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Shoot at a rate. (Ryan Kang/Getty Images)
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“You want to play your best football heading into the playoffs, but we didn't feel like we played our best football, so yeah, that's great,” Reid said. “There's still a way to build and there's still work to do to keep getting better. It's about not getting complacent and preparing every week. The physical side will take care of itself, but… Anyone who is mentally prepared and doesn't make mental mistakes all the time.''The pressure is going to be the difference. We’ve been here before, and we’ll just keep doing it.”
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