Chiefs motivated by doubters who say record is a fluke, says Star: ‘We’ll just keep showing up’

It’s pretty common to say that the 13-1 Kansas City Chiefs shouldn’t be their record – but that’s just fuel for the back-to-back champions.

Secure, The Chiefs won several plays on their last possession, and the ball often bounced their way – literally and figuratively.

But Chiefs safety Justin Reid is literally thanking those who doubt what the Chiefs can do in the playoffs.

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Justin Reid #20 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates a defensive stop against the Las Vegas Raiders in the fourth quarter of the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on November 29, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (David Eulitt/Getty Images)

“Thanks for the motivation. We appreciate the motivation that people give us,” Reid said in a recent interview with Fox News Digital. “Even though they won two championships in a row, despite what they said last year, they still don’t believe. And we appreciate that. That fires us up when we hear it. I like the extra motivation. and it makes me want to go out there to prove something.

“You never have to learn it. We’ll just keep showing up.”

Reid won two Super Bowls with the Chiefs, but his ring in February wasn’t the only championship he won this year. He also took home the Chess.com BlitzChamps title.

Reid was always fascinated by chess, but took it more seriously when he got into the NFL – and it’s now become a locker room fixture.

“We have a tradition of playing every night before the game. Once we’re done with team meetings, there’s a chess board at my locker, the boys come over and we play short five-minute games. The front office people are coming down.” “The players are playing, and if you win you stay, if you lose you get back in line,” Reid said.

Kansas City Chiefs safety Justin Reid (20) in the fourth quarter of an NFL game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Kansas City Chiefs on September 15, 2024 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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The added security has become a combination of superstition and stimulating the brain before a game.

“You can’t always be too deeply engrossed in something. It’s nice to take your mind off one topic and focus on something else. I think it’s fun and it’s become a bit of a tradition that we just do it all the time now,” he says.

NFL Films will release a documentary about Reid’s chess titles and the involvement of other NFL stars. The title also gave Reid the opportunity to raise money for his own charity.

“Everyone uses the same ‘It’s a game of chess,’ whether it’s soccer or business or whatever’s going on,” Reid said, adding that it’s a good way for people to socialize. “It’s a way to use tactics and stay three steps ahead of the 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 ex Houston Texans on Saturday afternoon as the Chiefs enter the final home stretch. And considering he’s a two-time reigning champion, he knows exactly what it’ll take to bring home another Lombardi Trophy.

Justin Reid #20 of the Kansas City Chiefs poses for a portrait 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 football in the playoffs and we don’t feel like we played our best football, yeah, that’s great,” Reid said. “There are still opportunities to build, there are still things to do to keep getting better. It’s just a matter of not being complacent and preparing each week. The physical side will take care of itself, but whoever is mentally prepared and doesn’t make those mental mistakes when.” The pressure will make the difference. We’ve been here before, we’ll just keep doing it.”

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