The player whose tear-stained cheeks during the national anthem have become a familiar sight for Kansas City fans is Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones.
He is known for getting emotional before big games and often appears teary during the performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner”.
According to Jones, his tears are a mix of emotions and a mental preparation for the game. He explained that during the anthem, he puts himself in a mindset of going to “war” and reflects on the difficult journey that led him to the NFL.
His emotional displays have become so common that fans sometimes view them as a good luck omen for the team.
It happened again.
Jones was seen crying during the national anthem before the Monday Night Football game against the Washington Commanders. But this was not the first time the sack master showed emotion. He has been spotted tearing up before other big games as well.
Toda emoção de Chris Jones em mais um horário nobre!
📺: #WASxKC ao vivo na @espnbrasil e NFL Game Pass pic.twitter.com/WnhJCRbIeR
— NFL Brasil (@NFLBrasil) October 28, 2025
On October 27, 2024, during a regular-season game against the Washington Commanders, Jones was seen with tears in his eyes. Later in the postseason, his emotional display continued on January 18, 2025, before the Chiefs defeated the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round.
same, Chris Jones 🥲
📺: #SBLVIII on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/dClcEDVQLT pic.twitter.com/buVnpz7LX5— NFL (@NFL) February 11, 2024
A week later, on January 26, 2025, Jones was also shown crying on the sideline during the AFC Championship win against the Buffalo Bills.
His emotions were again on display in Super Bowl LIX on February 9, 2025, where he even had a tissue prepared to wipe away his tears during the performance.
One should never mistake his tears for weakness on the field. Jones is the opposite. His emotions seem to fuel his strength when he steps onto the gridiron.
He had a quiet night with just one tackle and no sacks in the Chiefs’ win over the Commanders on Monday. Teams often double or triple-team him, creating chances for his teammates.
Jones’ stats against Washington do not show his full impact. He has built a career pressuring quarterbacks and making game-changing plays.
Football Fans Turn Chris Jones Emotional Moment into Laughter
Football could not look away from the scene when a grown man was seen crying during the national anthem. Surprisingly, most reactions were more funny than sympathetic.
Fans quickly took to social media, turning a deeply emotional moment into jokes, playful teasing, and lighthearted comments.
One fan poked fun at the emotional moment, writing, “He had to really push to get those two tears out 😂”
Another chimed in with playful confusion, asking, “Why is he crying? 😂😂. Funny sport.”
A third joked about the practical side, saying, “Bro put some visine in right before the anthem.”
Even serious displays of emotion can turn into part of football’s lighter side, with social media spreading every reaction. Moments like these show that football is not just about scores and stats but also about the human side of the game that fans enjoy celebrating and laughing about.
