An awkward moment unfolded between Chiefs coach Andy Reid and Raiders coach Jack Del Rio after Thursday night’s game between the two teams. Reid gave Del Rio a glancing pat on the shoulder; Del Rio responded with an icy glare.
So is there a problem between the two men?
“Not at all,” Reid told reporters on Friday. “Jack and I are actually good friends, and I know people don’t like to hear that ‘cause it’s the Raiders, but not at all. I know the picture – when we were leaving -- I just patted him on the shoulder after we shook hands. There was nothing there, no.”
Some have speculated that an issue has emerged because Del Rio called Reid’s offense “gimmicky” after the Chiefs beat the Raiders in Oakland earlier in the year.
“I don’t worry about all that,” Reid said. “I just worry about the score of the game. Anybody can say anything that they want to say. I’m good as long as we’re taking care of business there.”
The Chiefs have indeed taken care of business. And the best news is that many seem to presume they won’t continue to take care of business. Which makes it easy for Reid to keep his players from getting complacent, and easy for Reid to keep them properly motivated to continue to prove those who aren’t praising them wrong.
