Kansas City Chiefs star Chris Jones sought out President Donald Trump to shake his hand ahead of the Super Bowl match on Sunday.
The towering defense player made his way over to President Trump moments after he and his security detail arrived on the field.
Jones was seen approaching the President but keeping a respectful distance as Trump greeted the crowd and threw his fist in the air.
Initially, Trump didn’t notice his presence and began walking away, but doubled back when he noticed that Jones was waiting for his moment to approach.
Video of the brief exchange between the two men sparked praise online, with MAGA fans celebrating Jones for his public display of respect to Trump.
‘Chiefs player Chris Jones SPECIFICALLY came out to shake President Trump’s hand right before the Super Bowl. America is healing,’ one said.
‘This is the most pro American the Super Bowl has been in a long time. America is healing and it feels really good.’
Others said they were shocked at ‘just how big NFL linemen are’, given that Jones towered over President Trump, who is 6’3”.
Kansas City Chiefs star Chris Jones sought out President Donald Trump to shake his hand ahead of the Super Bowl match on Sunday
The towering defense player made his way over to President Trump moments after he and his security detail arrived on the field
Another added: ‘Rooting for the Eagles but KC might be the most MAGA team in the league.’
Trump had earlier predicted a Chiefs victory, praising quarterback Patrick Mahomes and indicating the 29-year-old would lead his team to victory.
He is also a fan of Mahomes’ wife Brittany, who supported Trump and the MAGA movement during his election campaign.
‘I’ve watched this great quarterback – who has, by the way, a phenomenal wife, okay, she’s a Trump fan,’ the president claimed. ‘She’s a MAGA fan, so I happen to love her.’
‘She’s a great person. I watched her being interviewed… she’s great and he’s great.’
Jones has been celebrated for his patriotism throughout the postseason, often tearing up and becoming emotional during national anthem performances.
Sunday was no exception. Jones wiped away tears during Jon Baptiste’s rendition of the national anthem.
But while Jones, 30, was clearly moved by the performance from Batiste, fans watching on deeply disliked the rendition at Caesars Superdome.
Video of the brief exchange between the two men sparked praise online, with MAGA fans celebrating Jones for his public display of respect to Trump
Jones was seen approaching the President but keeping a respectful distance as Trump greeted the crowd and threw his fist in the air
Trump made history by traveling to New Orleans for the game – he is the first sitting President to have ever attended a Super Bowl
Chiefs star Chris Jones cried during the national anthem before the Super Bowl began
The American singer-songwriter was given the honor of singing the Star-Spangled Banner ahead of the Chiefs-Eagles showdown in New Orleans, but fans felt he got the tone of the occasion completely wrong.
Taking to X, one viewer wrote: ‘Sing the national anthem like the national anthem. It’s not a jazz improv song! This is shameful.’
Another added: ‘I think you disrespect the national anthem by trying to jazz it up. Sorry, but not really sorry.’
Kansas City fans believe Jones’s tears are a good luck omen. The last two occasions, he wiped away tears with his bare hands but on the night in New Orleans, he had a tissue with him.
Trump made history by traveling to New Orleans for the game as the first sitting President to have ever attended a Super Bowl.
Speaking in an interview with Super Bowl broadcaster Fox before the game, Trump predicted that the Chiefs would emerge victorious against the Philadelphia Eagles on the night.
Trump said that the relentless winning record of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes made him opt for Kansas City but predicted a close game overall.
Trump was seen in the stands alongside his daughter Ivanka for the national anthem itself, while Jones and his teammates took up their usual position on the side of the field.
