Chiefs players say they love showing sense of style on NFL’s red carpet every week

It wasn’t all that long ago that football fans got their first look at players on game day when they took the field.

But these days, teams share photos and videos of the players as they arrive at a stadium. Call it the NFL’s version of the red carpet, and it’s rolled out before all 272 regular-season games and through the playoffs.

Chiefs players have embraced the new focus on pregame fashion.

“I grew up in the country, man. So I was just shirt, shorts, boots, you know what I’m saying?” said linebacker Nick Bolton, a former Mizzou star. “But I slowly started to evolve and I think that’s just kind of the name of the game now. Fashion is one of those things that if you can put stuff together and you can get a couple of people taking pictures off the field outside of football, I think we all need that.

“It’s essential for when you put the cleats down and having a direction where you want to go. Some people that’s their outlet. Some people want to go back to school, some people want to go into the TV business, some people just are into fashion, so I think it’s just all personal preference.”

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes said in last year’s Netflix docuseries that he likes to look his best for road games while going for a more casual look when playing at home.

There might not be a more fashionable player than tight end Travis Kelce, who manages to look sharp even when he dresses down.

“Fashion became a significant part of my life pretty organically,” Kelce said. “Growing up, I always appreciated self-expression, and fashion is one of those outlets for me. Over time, as I got into the NFL, it became a way to show a bit of who I am off the field. I have a love for creativity, the artistry of design and having fun with style.”

One player who makes a conscious effort to dress up before every game is kicker Harrison Butker. He has felt more like wearing suits in recent years.

He’s also a business partner at Shepherd’s, a men’s clothing company in Kansas City. So fashion is a big part of his life.

“I think people used to always dress nice and now it’s gotten very casual,” Butker said. “But part of that is it’s hard to find suits or nice clothes and there’s not many stores anymore that will provide that type of clothing, in my opinion. I think when you’re able to provide a garment that fits well, it makes someone feel better. I think they love it and they’re gonna want to dress up more, and I know when I’m dressed up, it helps me be a better husband and father.

“I think a lot of guys want to make sure they’re looking good for the plane rides, for the away game and even for the home games to look good.”

Safety Justin Reid said earlier this year on the Golf Underground podcast that his attitude toward the pregame fashion walk has changed since he first entered the league in 2018.

“My first couple of years I wanted to be all suit and tie, business. The last two years, I’ve gone just a little bit more swag and comfort,” Reid said. “Earlier, when I was younger, you want to flex a little bit. You’re young and have a little pocket change in your pocket. You want to show everybody you got it. But then as you get older it’s like, I know I got it. Everyone kind of knows I got it, so I don’t need to flex it as much.

“So I like the simpler touches, you know, the plain Jane presidential Rolex watch instead of the bust down watch. So you start to shift a little bit and from there, I just go for like the comfort flex. Comfortable. If you look close enough, you can see the designer logo, but it’s not in your face, you know?”