Detroit Lions star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown has never been one to shy away from expressing himself, but his latest comments are sending shockwaves across the NFL — especially in Kansas City. St. Brown, fresh off signing a massive contract extension that cements his place as a foundational piece for the Lions, has added fuel to an already growing rivalry with the Kansas City Chiefs by making disparaging remarks about both the team and the city on his popular podcast, “The St. Brown Brothers.”
For context, St. Brown has been riding high after an electric 2024 season in which he solidified himself as one of the league’s elite receivers, helping Detroit reach the NFC Championship game. His competitiveness and swagger are part of what makes him a fan favorite in Detroit. But in his latest podcast episode, that confidence spilled over into territory that has Chiefs Kingdom seeing red.
During the episode, St. Brown and his brother, Chicago Bears wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown, were reflecting on their experiences with different fanbases, NFL cities, and opponents. When the conversation shifted toward Kansas City, Amon-Ra didn’t mince words.
“Look, man, I respect winning teams, I respect greatness, but Kansas City? That place is overrated,” St. Brown declared. “The stadium’s loud, sure, but it’s not all that. The city? I’ve been there. Ain’t nothing special going on. People act like Arrowhead is some unbeatable fortress — we nearly handled them last season, and honestly, they’re lucky we didn’t finish the job.”
The remarks quickly caught fire on social media, with Lions fans embracing St. Brown’s boldness while Chiefs supporters erupted in backlash. Within hours, prominent Kansas City players, including tight end Travis Kelce and safety Justin Reid, responded with subtle jabs of their own on X (formerly Twitter), reminding St. Brown of the Chiefs’ Super Bowl success and their victory over Detroit in recent seasons.
The brewing animosity isn’t entirely new. The Lions and Chiefs opened the 2023 NFL season with a thrilling Thursday night game at Arrowhead Stadium, where Detroit stunned the reigning champions with a narrow 21-20 victory. That upset set the tone for the Lions’ rise as legitimate contenders, and it clearly left a lasting impression on St. Brown — even if the two teams didn’t meet again in the postseason.
Despite his comments, it’s important to note that St. Brown’s criticisms weren’t directed solely at the Chiefs’ roster but included the city of Kansas City itself. That drew the ire of not just players but locals, business owners, and civic leaders who took offense at the wide receiver’s characterization of their hometown.
Mayor Quinton Lucas of Kansas City even weighed in with a playful, yet pointed, response on social media.
“Plenty of folks love Detroit, just like millions love KC. You’re always welcome here, Amon-Ra — even if your takes could use some BBQ-flavored humility,” Lucas wrote, referencing the city’s famous cuisine.
While some dismissed St. Brown’s remarks as harmless trash talk, others view them as crossing a line of professional respect. NFL veterans and analysts chimed in, debating whether St. Brown’s podcast persona is becoming a distraction or simply emblematic of the league’s evolving culture where players leverage platforms for both personal branding and competitive edge.
“Amon-Ra St. Brown is one of the best in the business — there’s no questioning his work ethic or production,” said former NFL receiver and analyst Steve Smith Sr. “But when you start taking shots at whole cities, you better back it up on the field. You go to KC, talk that talk, and they’re going to circle that date. Arrowhead’s not an easy place to play, no matter how ‘overrated’ you think it is.”
For his part, St. Brown hasn’t walked back his statements. In fact, he doubled down in a follow-up social media post, stating: “I said what I said. We’re coming for everybody this season, Kansas City included. See you on the field.”
The Lions, projected as one of the NFC’s top teams entering the 2025 campaign, have aspirations beyond mere regular-season success. After falling just short of the Super Bowl last season, they’re looking to take the final step. St. Brown, who racked up over 1,500 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns last year, is poised to be a central figure in Detroit’s offensive attack.
Ironically, St. Brown’s latest remarks might have unintentionally intensified the Lions’ 2025 schedule. Though the NFL hasn’t officially announced any Detroit-Kansas City matchup this season, flex scheduling, potential playoff scenarios, or a future international game could set the stage for a high-profile rematch.
If that happens, all eyes will be on St. Brown — and the Arrowhead crowd he just antagonized.
The broader implications of his remarks also underscore how player-driven media has reshaped the modern NFL. In the past, such jabs may have been confined to locker room banter or post-game comments. Now, with players hosting their own shows, podcasts, and social channels, the line between personal expression and professional diplomacy continues to blur.
Some fans love it, viewing players like St. Brown as refreshingly candid, while others argue it invites unnecessary controversy and bulletin-board material for opponents.
As for the Chiefs, an organization accustomed to being the hunted after multiple Super Bowl victories and consistent AFC dominance, they likely won’t be fazed — but they won’t forget either.
“You can talk all you want,” Travis Kelce quipped during a recent interview. “We’ll let the scoreboard do the talking when the time comes.”
St. Brown’s comments have undoubtedly heightened intrigue around a potential Lions-Chiefs showdown, whether that happens this season or down the road. And while his remarks about Kansas City may not sit well with some, they reflect a broader confidence and ambition that Detroit hasn’t seen in decades.
In a league built on rivalries, bravado, and competition, Amon-Ra St. Brown just poured gasoline on the fire — and now, the countdown begins for the next chapter in what could be the NFL’s latest grudge match.
