How ‘bout those Chiefs? KU’s Bill Self, Jalen Wilson applaud KC’s Super Bowl winners

Kansas basketball coach Bill Self saluted the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs at his pre-KU-Baylor news conference Thursday afternoon at Allen Fieldhouse.

“I actually think it’s fantastic they won. It’s great for them,” Self said of the Chiefs, who topped the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 on Sunday night and were honored with a parade in KC on Wednesday.

“I don’t know them all well, but certainly I’ve gotten a chance to know Andy (Reid, coach) a little bit and Travis (Kelce, tight end) some and those are better people than they are actually at their gig. I mean they are class … class,” Self exclaimed. “We are all really happy for them. It means a lot to our students and everybody in our area when the Chiefs do well.”

Self, who has made a habit of attending a game or two in KC a majority of his 20 seasons as KU hoops coach, said KC’s NFL team tends to bring together sports fans in the area.

“There’s one thing about our community, … whether you are a K-State or Missouri or KU guy there’s some division,” Self said. “I don’t think there’s any division when we’re talking about the Chiefs. I mean the Chiefs are the organization as far as — and the Royals too — but the Chiefs to me, there’s absolutely nobody that supports any institution that would argue that they don’t like the Chiefs if they are from here. So I think it’s great.”

Self did not include attending Wednesday’s parade as part of his busy schedule.

“I am really big (on) parades,” he said with a smile, “but I did not even think about bearing the cold or attending that yesterday after a pretty long night on Tuesday.”

The Jayhawks returned to Lawrence early Wednesday morning from Stillwater, Oklahoma, where KU tripped Oklahoma State 87-76 Tuesday night.

KU senior forward Jalen Wilson, who hails from Denton, Texas, also was happy for the Chiefs.

“I did not go to the parade but it’s super cool to see those guys (on TV),” Wilson said of the Chiefs being honored. “I thought our parade (after winning 2022 national title) was cool. Then I watched theirs on TV. That was a whole ‘nother level. So now we’re just trying to match what they do.”

KC’s Kelce attended KU’s recent home win over Kansas State. He received a loud ovation when introduced during the game and visited the KU locker room to speak to the players after the game.

“To see Travis come to our game not too long ago, … him talking to us about winning another championship,” Wilson began, “... we’re a team that wants to get to get to our second championship and win. For him to come and speak that into existence, to show his personality on the court (pumping his fist toward the KU student section when seated courtside) and in the locker room was really cool.

“I don’t know if I have met another NFL player, but for a guy of his caliber and stats to come to a game was really cool and I appreciate him doing that. (Winning the Super Bowl) is super big for the city.”

Wilson and the Jayhawks will next take on Baylor at 3 p.m., Saturday, at Allen Fieldhouse.