It has been common to say that 13-1 Kansas City Chiefs This shouldn't be their record – but that's just fuel to the fire for the back-to-back champions.
certainly, The Chiefs won Several plays on their last possession, the ball has bounced their way several times – literally and figuratively.
But Chiefs safety Justin Reed is, quite literally, thanking those who doubt what the Chiefs can do in the playoffs.
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Justin Reed #20 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates a defensive stop against the Las Vegas Raiders during the fourth quarter of the game at Jeha Field at Arrowhead Stadium on November 29, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (David Yulett/Getty Images)
“Thanks for the motivation,” Reid told Fox News Digital in a recent interview. “We appreciate the motivation that people give us.” “Even though they've won two championships in a row, despite everything they said last year, they still don't believe. And we appreciate that. And that inspires us when we hear that. I love the extra motivation. It gets me excited, and it makes me go out there to prove a point.” what.
“They never have to (learn). We'll just 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 earned the BlitzChamps title from Chess.com.
Reed was always fascinated by chess but took it more seriously when he joined the NFL — and now he's become somewhat of a fixture in the locker room.
“We have a tradition where we play every night before the game. Right when we get done with team meetings, I have a chess board sitting in my locker, and the guys come in, and we play quick five-minute games. The guys come down from the front office and the guys play, and if I win, you stay,” Reid said. “You lose, and you go back to class.”
Kansas City Chiefs safety Justin Reed (20) in the fourth quarter of an NFL game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs on September 15, 2024 at GEHA Stadium at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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The safety added that it has become a combination of superstition and pre-game brain stimulation.
“You can't always be too deep into anything. It's good to take your mind off one subject and do something else. I think that's fun and it's become a tradition that we always do it now.” He says.
NFL Films will release a documentary about Reed's chess title and how other NFL stars got involved. The title also gave Reid the ability to raise money for his charity.
“Everyone uses the phrase 'It's a game of chess' whether it's football, business or anything else,” Reid said, adding that it's a good way for people to connect. “It's a way to use tactics and get 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 that anyone can play.”
Reid confronts his former counterpart Houston Texas Saturday afternoon as the Chiefs were in the final stretch. Considering he has won the title twice in a row, he knows exactly what it will take to bring home another Lombardi Trophy.
Justin Reed #20 of the Kansas City Chiefs poses for a photo 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 in the playoffs, and we don't feel like we played our best, yeah, which is great,” Reid said. “There are still ways to build, there are still things to do to continue to improve. It's just about not being complacent and being ready every week. The physical side will take care of itself, but whoever is mentally prepared and doesn't make those mental mistakes when the constant pressure is on will make the difference that we've been through.” “We have done so before, and we will continue to do so.”
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