Head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs Andy Reid felt the holiday spirit on Christmas Day – but quarterback Patrick Mahomes said it might be time for Reid to hang up his Santa suit.
Reid, 66, surprised his team dressed as Santa Claus in the locker room after the Chiefs’ 29-10 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday, December 25. The celebratory cameo drew a vociferous response from his players, but Mahomes, 29, joked that his coach’s appearance is becoming increasingly different from that of Old Saint Nick himself.
‘He’s getting a little thin. He’s getting a little skinny for Santa,” Mahomes told reporters after the game.
Still, Mahomes acknowledged that Reid is a “perfect fit for the role.”
Travis Kelce thanked Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker for keeping an extra gift in his back pocket on Christmas Day. The 35-year-old Kelce took an unsportsmanlike penalty for his touchdown celebration on Wednesday, December 25, punching the football through the goal post in tribute to Tony Gonzalez, who had just surpassed Kelce for the Chiefs. […]
“It’s good for his health,” Mahomes said of his coach’s apparent weight loss, “so he’ll be a skinny Santa Claus from now on.”
Reid previously dressed as Santa Claus for the Chiefs’ Christmas Eve game against the Miami Dolphins in 2017, answering questions from reporters dressed in the suit — which Mahomes vaguely remembered.
“I think he might have done it my freshman year when I wasn’t starting,” the quarterback recalled.
Indeed, Mahomes took over the starting quarterback role in Kansas City in 2018 after serving as a defensive back Tyler Bray‘s backup for one season.
Reid – who is looking noticeably slimmer on the sidelines this season – told reporters that “one of my elves” had packed the Santa suit for the big Christmas surprise.
“I can’t tell you the secrets,” Reid said slyly. “But there was an elf involved. For all you non-believers out there, doggunnit.
Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs speak with a NETFLIX reporter after the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on December 25, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Joe Sargent/Getty ImagesAs for Santa’s arrival in the locker room on Wednesday, he came with a much-coveted gift for the assembled players.
“How about those Chiefs!” Reid, as Santa exclaimed. ‘That’s what I’m talking about! Hey, Merry Christmas, guys. Proud of you, guys! Proud of you. For now you get home advantage!”
Patrick Mahomes suffered a scary ankle injury on Sunday, December 15, which led to a disagreement between him and Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid. The 29-year-old Mahomes left the Chiefs’ game against the Cleveland Browns in the fourth quarter on Sunday after being dragged from behind by Browns defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson […]
The Chiefs’ win over the Steelers vaulted Kansas City into the No. 1 seed in the AFC, ensuring a first-round bye and guaranteeing that potential playoff games leading up to February’s Super Bowl would take place in LIX Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
To round out the locker room celebration, the Chiefs equipment manager is present Chris Shropshire came out of a suitcase, dressed as an elf, to reward Reid with a game ball.
“Shropy, Shropy, Shropy!” the team sang.
The Chiefs close the regular season on Sunday, January 5 against the Denver Broncos. Their first-round bye guarantees they won’t open the play-offs until the AFC Divisional Round, which kicks off on Sunday, January 18.