It’s been quite commonplace to say that the 13-1 Kansas City Chiefs shouldn’t be what their file is – however that is simply gas to the hearth for the back-to-back champions.
Sure, the Chiefs have won a number of video games on their final possession, and the ball has bounced their method loads of instances – actually and figuratively.
But Chiefs security Justin Reid, fairly actually, is thanking those that doubt what the Chiefs can do within the playoffs.
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Justin Reid #20 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates a defensive cease in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders through the fourth quarter within the sport at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on November 29, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (David Eulitt/Getty Images)
“Thanks for the motivation. We admire the motivation that individuals give us,” Reid instructed Fox News Digital in a current interview. “Despite profitable two championships in a row, regardless of all the things that they mentioned final 12 months, they nonetheless don’t consider. And we admire it. That fires us up once we hear it. I like the additional motivation. It will get me fired up, and it will get me to go on the market to show some extent.
“They don’t ever should [learn]. We’ll simply hold displaying up.”
Reid has gained two Super Bowls with the Chiefs, however his ring again in February wasn’t the one championship he gained this 12 months. He additionally took residence Chess.com’s BlitzChamps title.
Reid was at all times intrigued with chess however took it extra critically when he obtained into the NFL – and now, it is change into considerably of a staple within the locker room.
“We have a practice the place we play each night time earlier than the sport. Right once we end staff conferences, I’ve a chess board sitting at my locker, guys come, and we play fast five-minute video games. Guys from the entrance workplace come down, gamers play, and in case you win, you keep, you lose, you get again in line,” Reid mentioned.
Kansas City Chiefs security Justin Reid (20) within the fourth quarter of an NFL sport between the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs on September 15, 2024 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire through Getty Images)
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The security added it is change into a mixture of each superstition and firing up the mind earlier than a sport.
“You can’t at all times be too deep in something. It’s good to get your thoughts off one topic and do one thing else. I believe it is enjoyable for that and it has change into a little bit of a practice that we simply at all times try this now,” he says.
NFL Films will likely be releasing a documentary about Reid’s chess title and the way different NFL stars have gotten concerned. The title additionally gave Reid the flexibility to lift cash for his personal charity.
“Everyone makes use of the identical ‘it’s a sport of chess’ whether or not it’s soccer or enterprise or no matter’s occurring,” Reid mentioned, including it is a great way for folks to attach. “It’s a method of utilizing ways and being three steps forward of your opponent. It’s enjoyable they’re selling it. I believe that it is good, and I believe it is a enjoyable sport for anybody to play.”
Reid faces his former Houston Texans on Saturday afternoon because the Chiefs are within the remaining homestretch. And contemplating he is a back-to-back reigning champ, he is aware of precisely what it takes to deliver residence one other Lombardi Trophy.
Justin Reid #20 of the Kansas City Chiefs poses for a portrait with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after Super Bowl LVIII in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ryan Kang/Getty Images)
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“You need to be taking part in your finest soccer going into the playoffs, and we don’t really feel like we’ve performed our greatest soccer sure, which is nice,” mentioned Reid. “There’s nonetheless methods to construct, nonetheless issues to do to maintain getting higher. It’s nearly not being glad and the preparation every week. The bodily aspect will deal with itself, however whoever’s mentally ready and doesn’t make these psychological errors when the strain’s on goes to be the distinction. We’ve been right here earlier than, we’ll simply hold persevering with to do it.”
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