Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones has revealed that black shoes 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, spoke about the strange rule during an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show this week.
American sportscaster Eisen first asked the Kansas City veteran if he ever had to have harsh words with a teammate to get him back in line, before explaining how younger players often need detailed information about some unwritten rules.
“We have conversations,” Jones said. ‘Usually younger guys trying to figure out how to do things, mostly just showing them the way, showing them how it’s usually done here… or a new guy coming to the team and not understanding how this organization operates.
‘Something as simple as not wearing black shoes. It’s simple, but this organization has these little things that we follow that sometimes the players don’t know.’
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 abide by the unwritten rule.
When Eisen asked why they weren’t allowed to 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 the black cleats might 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 touchdown disallowed at the last second on video replay when his toe, with his black cleats, was seen crossing the out-of-bounds line.
“It looked good from my angle on the bench. But then the first view you saw, you can see the cove. Next time you will have to wear white shoes. That’s my advice to him,” Mahomes joked afterward.
Alongside players like 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 wins came in the previous two seasons, and Andy Reid’s men are now aiming for an unprecedented ‘three titles’ in the 2024 campaign.
Eisen then asked Jones if the hat trick is ever discussed in the locker room, to which he replied, “No, not at all.” It’s such a crazy thing.
‘First you have to overcome the division and not just the AFC West, you have to overcome the AFC. Many adversities can arise.
But Jones admitted on The Rich Eisen Show that he has no idea why the rule is in place.
“So I think for us it’s more about smaller goals.” Winning the AFC West is the first thing we can do. If we win the AFC West we can be in a position to be in the playoffs.
“Then we can think about the AFC and then we can think about winning the AFC championship. If you win, then you can think about the triplet.
“But it’s so far-fetched and so far away, so I think you can focus on the smaller goals and if you’re able to achieve them then you’ll be where you want to be.”
