Chris Jones Defends Travis Kelce as a ‘Fierce Competitor’ After Confrontation with Andy Reid

Travis Kelce and his teammates are “fierce competitors,” according to Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones.

After footage of Kelce, 35, and head coach Andy Reid in a sideline screaming match went viral, Jones, 31, described Kelce, 35, as a “fierce competitor” during a media availability on Thursday, Sept. 25 in Kansas City.

Now in his tenth season with Kelce and the Chiefs, Jones said that ferocity is part of the Kansas City culture. “I think we’re all fierce competitors. We all want to win,” he said on Thursday.

“Sometimes, in the heat of the battle, sometimes emotions show,” Jones explained of the heated exchange between his teammate and coach. “Sometimes we have confrontations, whether it’s with coaches, players…but I think it’s more out of competitive spirit.”

Jones said all of his teammates and coaches “want the best” for the organization. “We all want to succeed. It’s the nature of this, it’s been like that since I’ve been here and I don’t think its going to change.”

Kelce and Reid were seen screaming at each other on the sidelines during the Chiefs’ first win of the season on Sunday, Sept. 21.

After the game, Reid told reporters his star tight end is an “emotional guy” and explained, “He knows when to back off the pedal and he knows when to push it too, and that’s part of what I love about him, the guy’s all in.”

“Just, sometimes, I have to be the policeman,” Reid added.

Kelce and Jones have developed a close friendship during their years with the Chiefs, which include three Super Bowl championships under quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

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During an appearance on New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce in September 2023, just weeks after Kelce’s now-fiancée Taylor Swift was spotted at her first Chiefs game amid their then-bubbling romance, Jones happily embraced the singer’s fans tuning into games. “Well, when you think about it, when we have Pat Mahomes and Travis Kelce out there scoring so many damn points, and we got Taylor Swift at the game — who gives a damn about the defense, bro?”

“Who’s paying attention to the defense?” he continued. “They want to see touchdowns thrown, they want to see the Swifties going crazy.”

The longtime Chiefs player also revealed that he’s a Swiftie himself after the “So High School” singer started dating his teammate. “Let’s goooooooooo! I’m bumping taylor swift tonight,” he wrote on X after her appearance at their Sept. 24, 2023 game.

And when Jason and Travis followed up with him to ask if he really did put on Swift’s music, Jones said, “Hell, yeah, I put it on,” laughing. “Straight up! That’s my dog!”