Chris Jones is regarded as the best defensive tackle in the NFL at the moment, but it could’ve been all so different in an alternative universe; as he confesses he almost quit football for basketball, until his grandmother steered him on track.

The Kansas City Chiefs star runs the defensive line at the Arrowhead Stadium and the 30-year-old is a key part of why the side managed to win Super Bowls in 2019, 2022 and 2023.

However, if you ask him, he puts the credit firmly in the hands of his grandmother and emotionally retold the story of how she pushed him to American Football stardom and a $158,750,000 contract.

“I don’t think there’s enough flowers that I can give for my grandmother, Flora Evans,” Jones told Heart of the Kingdom. “She would always tell me, ‘If you want to be the best, you’ve got to be able to put the most work in.’

“That kinda stayed with me throughout life: moving out of my parents’ place, moving in with her, sleeping on a two-seater couch. Kind of instilled the will of having faith, belief, and putting God first.

“My whole goal moving to Houston, Mississippi, was to play for my basketball coach. I really had no desire to play football, but the coach wanted me to play, I felt like I could volunteer to play.

“Throughout time, I found the hidden talent that I didn’t know I had and I think my grandmother seen it before anyone. Thank you for everything.

“I know I don’t get to say it often, but I love you and appreciate you for all the life lessons. I can never repay you, even though I try to… I just wanted to say it again: I love you, and thank you.”

When does Chris Jones’ contract expire?

Jones is making a fortune and is set for life, being able to pass on generational wealth to his two children with his now ex Sheawna Weathersby, thus securing his family’s future.

He makes just shy of $32m per year after signing a five-year extension in May 2024. That means Chris Jones’ Chiefs contract expires in 2029, when he will be 35 years old.