Kansas City star defensive tackle Chris Jones shared that a close family member passed away after suffering a heart attack during the Chiefs game Sunday night in Week 3.
Jones, still grieving, opened up at a press conference Friday about the death of his aunt, Angela. Jones attended her funeral in Mississippi on Saturday, before arriving back in Kansas City with 45 minutes to go before kickoff with the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday afternoon. Jones was visibly emotional during pregame.
“She meant a lot,” Jones said. “I actually stayed with her for a duration, a part of my life, probably five or six years. We was very close.”
“She was actually watching my game when she passed away,” he added.
Jones said he found out about Angela’s death after the Chiefs defeated the Giants, 22-9, on “Sunday Night Football,” Sept. 21. He added Angela was a “huge supporter” of him and the Chiefs, where he has spent his entire All-Pro career.
Jones Records Sack in Final Game for aunt Angela
During the game, Jones recorded a sack, and he expected to hear from his family with congratulatory messages, but instead received somber news.
“I was calling everybody saying, … we got the sack,” Jones said.
But soon responses of “call your mom” and “call your sister” began to worry Jones.
“Unfortunately, she had a heart attack watching the game,” Jones said.
GettyEAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 21: Chris Jones #95 of the Kansas City Chiefs greets fans following a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on September 21, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Andy Reid Prioritized Funeral, Made it Possible for Jones to Play
Jones, head coach Andy Reid and the front office worked out a plan so that Jones could attend the funeral and still play Sunday, if he wanted to.
“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.
Reid expressed where the organization stood earlier in the week.
“He had to do what he had to do there. That’s not something you plan on,” Reid said during a press conference. “You take care of that first and the game kind of comes secondary when you start dealing with life and death.
Jones is an All-Time Great from Mississippi
Jones grew up in the small city of Houston, Mississippi. He attended Houston High School where he was considered a five-star recruit and was ranked among the top players in his class.
Jones played college football at Mississippi State University, where he played three years, forgoing his senior year to enter the 2016 NFL draft. A was selected in the second-round by the Chiefs.
Jones is a three-time Super Bowl champion, six-time All-Pro, and six-time Pro Bowler. He twice recorded 15.5 sacks in a season, in 2018 and 2022, and has tallied two career interceptions and 13 forced fumbles.
Known for his emotional displays during the national anthem, Jones has also used his platform off the field to promote environmental awareness, including starring in a PSA on Earth Day.
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