Kirk Cousins sheds shirt, and dad image, as Kirko Chainz returns

The Raiders got back on track Sunday, defeating the New York Jets, 38-33.The win put everyone in a good mood, especially quarterback Kirk Cousins.Cousins typically looks like the guy who reminds everyone to bring a jacket, gets to the airport three hours early and considers a trip to the hardware store a pretty good Saturday.Then the shirt comes off, the chains go on and everybody’s favorite dad turns into somebody’s album cover.Welcome back, Kirko Chainz.The Raiders quarterback’s jewelry-loving alter ego resurfaced in a photo circulating Monday after the Silver and Black snapped its four-game losing streak against the Jets.There was Cousins aboard a plane, shirtless and smiling, wearing tinted sunglasses, enough chains to supply a jewelry counter and multiple watches.Apparently, after four weeks waiting for another victory, he wanted to know exactly what time it arrived.For anyone who sees Cousins as the NFL’s embodiment of sensible shoes and a well-organized garage, the transformation might seem surprising.Cousins would suggest that says more about how well you know him.“ would say the people who don’t expect it from me probably don’t know me,” Cousins recently said about his personality.Behind the dad vibes, apparently, is a guy perfectly comfortable letting loose.

And he seems to enjoy the surprise when people discover that the personality they imagined doesn’t tell the whole story.Even his teammates have needed an introduction.Cousins said players arriving with one impression of him began reconsidering it after spending time around him during offseason workouts.“I think sometimes the perception and reality can be different,” Cousins said.“And when people start to see reality instead of perception, maybe sometimes they go, ‘Oh, that’s kind of entertaining.’”Entertaining is one word for it.The accessories say nightclub.The smile says he just found an excellent deal on patio furniture.That is the beauty of Kirko Chainz.

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