Storybook Sunday: Timeline This Player Lived Was Unbelievable

The Kansas City Chiefs needed an important last-minute effort and they got it.

Jul 22, 2025; St. Joseph, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs guard Jaylon Moore (77) walks down the hill to the practice fields during training camp at Missouri Western State University. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Andy Reid wasn’t about to let him go unacknowledged in the victorious locker room late into the evening. The clock had yet to hit midnight on Jaylon Moore’s Cinderella Sunday.

“By the way,” Reid told his team before wrapping up his postgame speech, “the big man, 77, get up here, dude.”

Somewhat surprised by the unexpected recognition, Moore humbly walked to the center of the room to break down his team.

“I love you’all boys,” Moore said, arms raised. “Family on 3.”

Aug 9, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Kansas City Chiefs guard Jaylon Moore (77) against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

From family to family

He couldn’t have chosen a more appropriate word. Not only did Moore help his Chiefs family during those 24 hours of Sunday, Oct. 12; he also welcomed a new addition to his own family.

The timeline of Moore’s day was unbelievable. It started with the birth of daughter Selah, who’ll grow up with this story of the day she was born.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87 makes a catch for a first down against Detroit Lions cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (23) during the second half at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Less than 18 hours before kickoff, her 6-4, 311-pound dad couldn’t sleep at the hospital. After all, beds there are made for average-sized humans.

Then, about 11 hours later when the Chiefs held a gameday walkthrough, Moore’s position coach Andy Heck told him that Josh Simmons was questionable for personal reasons. Heck had trust that Moore could answer the call – against the team from his hometown -- and so did Patrick Mahomes.

“I have all the faith in the world in Jaylon,” Mahomes said after the game. “I mean, he came here to do what he did today. I mean, go out there and go against one of the premier pass rushers in the league and handle his own.

“And so that speaks to his professionalism, getting better and better through work, throughout the week, and being prepared to play at any moment. And he went out there and showcased the type of player that he is.”

Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) knocks the ball out of the hands of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) during the first half at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Stay ready to be ready

The type of player he was, Moore said, was the result of staying ready. He’d taken reps at most positions along the offensive line, but playing four years under the wing of perennial All-Pro Trent Williams gave Moore the confidence he needed Sunday night.

“I feel like the biggest thing is mental reps,” Moore said after the game, courtesy of KSHB’s Tod Palmer. “This is Year 5 for me, so I've had a good amount of reps. I’m not saying all of it is mental, but most of it is upstairs and just making sure I'm being intentional with my work during the week.”

Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Jalyon Moore made a surprise start Sunday against the Detroit Lions hours after his wife, Sidney, gave birth to his third child, a daughter named Selah.

Story by @todpalmer: https://t.co/yK00IzPvkm pic.twitter.com/iGPA885AuN

— KSHB 41 News (@KSHB41) October 13, 2025

That premier pass rusher, Aidan Hutchinson, was held to one sack and struggled to beat the first-time Chiefs starter. Moore didn’t give up much pressure until Al-Quadin Muhammad sacked Mahomes late in the game.

“I thought he was just solid,” Reid said Monday afternoon. “He did a nice job. He was going against an All-Pro player 50 percent of the time, so that’s a tough ask without playtime. But he handled it.

“I love the way he handles himself during the week and how he practices fast and aggressive during the week. And he never hangs his head, that I’m not playing or this or that. He just gets in there and bears down. So, I think that paid off for him once this thing happened. He was solid in the run game, too, run and pass.”

Oct 12, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid before the game against the Detroit Lions at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Reid said Monday that Simmons’ personal situation is uncertain, and whether the rookie returns in time to start again on Sunday against the Raiders is undetermined.

Chiefs Kingdom, don’t move that browser if you desire the most thorough news, right here with OnSI; the best way to get it is to follow @KCChiefsOnSI, @ZakSGilbert and @Domminchella on X (Twitter). Plus, join the conversation on Moore and Simmons by visiting our Facebook page (here).