Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones has revealed that black cleats are banned in the Kansas City locker room, but he still has no idea why.
Jones, who is currently in his ninth season at Arrowhead, announced the bizarre line during an appearance The Rich Eisen Show this week.
American sports commentator Eisen first asked the Kansas City veteran if he’s ever had to say harsh words to a teammate to get him back on the same page, before explaining how younger players often need a good understanding of some unwritten rules.
“We’re having conversations,” Jones said. “Mostly younger guys trying to figure out how to do things, usually just showing the way, showing how it’s usually done around here… or a new guy coming on the team and not understanding how this organization works.
Chris Jones has revealed that black cleats are banned in the Kansas City Chiefs locker room
People like Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce are forced to adhere to the unwritten rule
‘Something as simple as not wearing black shoes. It’s simple, but this organization has little things that we adhere to that sometimes players don’t know about.”
When asked by Eisen why they can’t wear black shoes, Jones laughed: “Listen, I don’t know… I just work here!” I don’t make the rules.’
Jones’ teammate Patrick Mahomes joked earlier this season that black shoes could have cost the Ravens a win over the Chiefs in their season opener at Arrowhead Stadium.
Ravens tight end Isaiah likely had a game-winning TD ruled out in the last second during video replay when his toe, in his black cleat, was seen crossing the line because he was out of bounds.
‘From my side on the sidelines it looked good. But when you saw the first image, you can see the cleat. Next time he should wear white shoes. That’s my advice for him,” Mahomes joked afterwards.
Alongside Mahomes and Travis Kelce, Jones has helped the Chiefs win three Super Bowls since being selected by the team with the 37th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Two of those triumphs came in the previous two seasons, with Andy Reid’s men now aiming for an unprecedented three-peat in the 2024 campaign.
Eisen then asked Jones if the three-peat is ever discussed in the locker room, to which he replied, “No, not at all. It’s just so far-fetched man.
“First you have to get through the division and not just the AFC West, you have to get through the AFC. So many setbacks can arise.
But Jones admitted on The Rich Eisen Show that he has no idea why the rule is in effect
“So I think for us it’s more about the smaller goals. Winning the AFC West, that’s the first thing we can do. If we win the AFC West, we can put ourselves in a position to reach the playoffs.
“Then we can think about the AFC, and then we can think about winning the AFC championship. If you win that, you can think about the three-peat.
“But it’s so far-fetched and so far away man, so I think you can focus on the smaller targets and if you can hit them then you’re where you want to be.”