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Chiefs Star Reveals Why He Always Cries During The National Anthem

Originally posted on The Spun | By Matt Hladik | Last updated Feb 9, 2025 12:45 PM ET

If you catch a glimpse of Chris Jones crying during the national anthem before Super Bowl 59, don't be surprised.

Jones, 30, is looking to win his fourth Super Bowl tonight when the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Philadelphia Eagles. Over the years, before Super Bowls and regular season games alike, Jones has frequently been spotted with tears flowing during "The Star-Spangled Banner." During the leadup to tonight's big game, Jones explained why he gets so emotional.

It all goes back to a popular action film and the need to get oneself into the proper frame of mind before kickoff.

"Quick story. I was watching the movie ‘300.’ One of my favorite movies, you know? Right before they go into battle, you have some like, crying, because they’re so mad. They’re going to war," Jones said, via Fox News Digital. "In a sense of playing football, I actually go into that mind frame, like, I might not make it home tonight – knowing I’m going to make it home, but knowing I’m going to war. It’s going to get bloody. It’s going to get physical. I might not make it out. I might make it out.

"So in the midst of the national anthem, I have to put myself in that mind frame."

Whatever Jones is doing, it clearly works. He's a six-time Pro Bowler and future Hall of Famer in addition to being a three-time Super Bowl champion.

"I'm also retracing and going over all the obstacles it took me to get here, in a sense. Thinking about that, all that manifesting," Jones added about his pregame tears. "Tears start rolling because I'm so angry. I'm going through so many emotions. Anything (negative) somebody said like, three weeks ago, I'm remembering. I'm just full of emotions."

Jones might not be the only person on either sideline with waterworks during tonight's anthem. When these two teams met in the Super Bowl two years ago, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni was captured crying on camera, becoming a meme in the process.

Super Bowl 59 will kick off at 6:30 p.m. ET on FOX.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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