SB LVIII: Andy Reid’s title march 

LAS VEGAS – Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has been there and done that. Reid celebrated with his team after leading the Chiefs to a 25-22 overtime win against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII. 

The win gives Reid and the Chiefs three NFL championships in the last five years. Kansas City has made four appearances in the Super Bowl under Reid’s watch. Reid is now 3-1 in Super Bowl games since he has been head coach of the Chiefs. 

Those wins came against San Francisco (twice) and against the Philadelphia Eagles, a team that Reid used to coach. Reid won 130 games for the Eagles and guided teams to five NFC Championships during his tenure. 

The only thing missing on Reid’s resume at the time was winning a Super Bowl. He doesn’t seem to have that problem as coach of the Chiefs Under Reid’s watch, Kansas City has played in four of the last five Super Bowls. 

In beating the Niners, Reid and the Chiefs have strung together back-to-back championships, something that is somewhat of an out-of-body experience for the Kansas City coach.

“It’s a little bit surreal. Back-to-back is rare for this football team and this organization,” Reid said. “I don’t know what a dynasty is. You guys have the thesaurus, so you can figure it out. It’s a great win because I know how hard it is to do and how hard the season was. The ups and downs of the season and how proud I am of the guys for just hanging with each other and staying positive with each other.” 

“The young guys grew up, and nobody ever pointed fingers at the offense when the offense was growing. It all kind of came together during the playoffs and worked out well. Great leaders in Patrick [Mahomes], Chris [Jones], and Trav [Travis Kelce], the job that they’ve done,” Reid added. “They’re passionate players, and I love that, even if they chest bump me to the other side of the 50. I appreciate it. I just love that the guy wants to play and wants to be in there playing. He knows I love that, so he makes me feel young.” 

Reid has posted an overall mark of 3-2 in the Big Game if you count his lone appearance in the Super Bowl as the former head coach of the Eagles. What a difference a team makes. 

Reid is beloved and warmly embraced in Kansas City. Reid was run out of Philadelphia after not producing a Super Bowl winner. He knows what winning football means. He understands the building of a winning tradition. 

After seeing quarterback Patrick Mahomes doing Patrick Mahomes as he led Kansas City on an improbable drive to lead his team to victory in the extra session, Reid talked to reporters about how tough it is to win one title, let alone to play in multiple championship games. 

“Listen, I mean, this is a tough profession, which we all know, is competitive,” Reid said. “I mean, the parity in this league is ridiculous. And so, to watch your guys work and focus and all that, I mean, you just appreciate – I think the older you get, you probably appreciate that also. I mean, I appreciate the first one because it took me a thousand years to get into a Super Bowl.” 

“At least being able to hold that Lombardi Trophy. I appreciate every day that I have to do this. I work for a great owner and ownership family. Between Mark Donovan, Veach and myself, we’re lucky to be Kansas City Chiefs. And so, that part feels good. And then, we have a good locker room and we have good coaches,” he added. 

The Chiefs are repeat Super Bowl champions because of the improbable playmaking of Mahomes, and the timeliness of their defense. Reid, however, is the one who makes it all go for the Chiefs. 

“He’s one of the best coaches of all time. I believe he’s the best coach of all time,” Mahomes said. “I know he didn’t have the trophies yet and I have a lot of respect for some of those great coaches. But the way he’s able to navigate every single team he has, continue to have success no matter where he’s at.” 

“He brings out the best of me because he lets me be me. I think that’s important, is he doesn’t try to make me anyone else. I don’t think I’d be the quarterback that I am if I didn’t have Coach Reid being my head coach. And other than that, he wants to be the best person you can be. And that’s something that I think is truly special,” Mahomes added.