Kansas City Chiefs star Chris Jones managed to play in Sunday’s win over the visiting Baltimore Ravens after attending his aunt’s funeral in his native Mississippi only hours early.
And as the All-Pro defensive tackle revealed to reporters on Friday, his beloved aunt actually suffered her fatal heart attack while watching him play against the New York Giants a week earlier.
‘She was actually watching my game when she passed away,’ an emotional Jones told reporters.
Jones said he knew something was wrong after he recorded a sack against the Giants and wasn’t met with a post-game phone call from family after the win.
‘It was very unexpected because usually after the game, especially after a game you get a sack, my family [will] call and congratulate me,’ he told reporters.
As Jones explained, he was particularly close with his aunt, with whom he lived for several years.
Chris Jones told reporters Friday that his beloved aunt passed awhile while watching him play
Chris Jones is pictured with his mom, Mary Woodhouse (left), and his beloved aunt ‘Don’
‘She meant a lot,’ Jones said. ‘I actually stayed with her for a duration, part of my life, probably like five or six years. So we were very close.
‘Meant a lot to me, my family, huge supporter.’
Chiefs coach Andy Reid accommodated Jones’ request to attend her funeral in Mississippi.
Jones rewarded Reid’s trust by returning to Arrowhead Stadium in time for Sunday’s win over the Ravens, although just barely.
He actually missed warmups after landing at 2:40 – just 45 minutes before kickoff – but still managed to play on the game’s first snap.
‘Me and Coach Reid talked about it, and more so it was about making my aunt’s funeral, and if there was a time frame where I could get back I would try to get back, but they completely understood and came up with a plan around it,’ Jones said Friday.
