Kansas City Chiefs’ defensive powerhouse, Chris Jones, has come a long way since his days at the NFL Combine in 2016. A feared pass rusher with a Super Bowl pedigree, Jones now stands as one of the NFL’s elite players. But even the best athletes have their awkward moments — and Jones’ infamous “third leg” incident during the 2016 Combine has remained a humorous highlight of his career, even years later.
The ‘Third Leg’ Incident: A Moment of Embarrassment
In a recent tweet, Chris Jones recalled the embarrassing mishap that became one of the most unforgettable moments of his early NFL journey. A viral video shared by the popular X account “MLFootball” brought the incident back into the spotlight, showing Jones running the 40-yard dash. As Jones pushed through the drill, his shorts betrayed him in a very awkward way, resulting in a moment that fans have never let him live down.
“Still trying to figure this out,” Jones humorously wrote in his tweet, reflecting on a situation that continues to perplex him to this day.
While the 6-foot-6 defensive tackle’s athleticism was on full display — he clocked an impressive 5.03 seconds in the 40-yard dash, ranking among the fastest 300-pound defensive linemen in the history of the event — the incident with his shorts became the talk of the Combine.
Jones’ Reaction to the 2016 Mishap
A year after the incident, Chris Jones spoke candidly about the blunder in an interview with Sports Illustrated. The Kansas City Chiefs star opened up about his initial reaction, sharing how embarrassed he felt in the heat of the moment.
“I looked down and the hummer is out,” Jones recalled with a chuckle, referring to the unfortunate wardrobe malfunction. “I try to cover it up. I’m thinking to myself, ‘Little kids are watching.’”
Jones was mortified, diving to cover himself in the hopes that no one would notice. “I take a dive and try to cover it up. I’m thinking to myself, ‘How long was this thing out?’” The defensive lineman added that he hoped the moment would go unnoticed, but with cameras everywhere at the Combine, his misfortune was captured for all to see.
Despite the embarrassing situation, Jones’ athleticism remained undeniable, and the Chiefs were quick to secure him with the 37th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Fast-forward to today, and Chris Jones is now a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Chiefs, proving that this viral moment didn’t define his career.
The Wardrobe Choice That Led to the Mishap
As the story goes, Jones was determined to stand out at the Combine. He didn’t want to blend in with the rest of the athletes who were all sporting long tights. Instead, he chose a pair of short tights for the 40-yard dash, hoping to make a unique statement. The only problem? The shorts weren’t exactly as functional as he had hoped.
“I’mma be honest with you, bro. I was so big on being different from everyone,” Jones explained during a guest appearance on New Heights, the podcast hosted by Travis and Jason Kelce. “Everybody was wearing the f—ing long tights. I was like, you know what, I’m not going out there and copying everybody. I’ma wear the short tights. I didn’t realize they was boxers, bro.”
Jones’ decision to wear what he thought were stylish shorts ended up being a wardrobe fail, with his boxers becoming an unintended source of attention during the drill.
From Embarrassment to Success
Despite this momentary setback, Chris Jones has made a name for himself as one of the most dominant forces in the NFL. Over the course of his career, he has tallied 310 tackles, 80.5 sacks, 12 forced fumbles, and two interceptions. His blend of size, speed, and athleticism has made him an integral part of the Kansas City Chiefs’ defense, helping to lead the team to multiple Super Bowl appearances.
Jones’ story serves as a reminder that even the most successful athletes have their embarrassing moments — but it’s how they rebound from them that matters most. For Jones, it wasn’t just about his physical talent on the field but also his resilience and ability to handle awkward situations with humor and humility.
A Lasting Legacy
As Chris Jones continues to dominate on the field, the “third leg” incident remains a lighthearted and relatable moment in his storied career. It’s a reminder that no matter how much success one achieves, the occasional embarrassing slip-up is inevitable — and it’s how you handle it that counts.
Jones has long since put the incident behind him, but it remains a funny footnote in his journey from the NFL Combine to the Kansas City Chiefs’ defensive leader. And while the “third leg” moment might have been a surprise for him at the time, it’s become a part of his legacy — and fans wouldn’t have it any other way.
I am a writer with a passion for technology and gaming. I write about a variety of subjects, including Esports, Games, Shows, and Sports. I create engaging and informative content for Hiptoro.