Before Chiefs linebacker Anthony Hitchens could begin to take in any of the joy associated with having friends and family scattered throughout the stadium — including on the other team’s sideline — he had to endure a lot of pain.
Hitchens, who the Chiefs signed in the offseason to a five-year deal worth roughly $9 million per year, started at inside linebacker on Sunday as he had each game this season. That wasn’t a given, at least not to those who saw him helped off the field at Arrowhead Stadium last week with bruised ribs.
“Hitch is a warrior,” Chiefs outside linebacker Dee Ford said when asked if he was surprised Hitchens played as the Chiefs beat the Cleveland Browns.