On Thanksgiving night, Thomas Jones stood atop a stage in front of thousands in downtown Kansas City, Mo. At that moment, he felt, for the first time in forever, that he had found a home.

Jones’s career path ranks among the strangest in N.F.L. history, nearly 11 seasons now, with five teams, his productivity climbing with experience, even after 30, when most running backs head into retirement. As he closed in on 10,000 career rushing yards (Jones has 9,983), he was selected, with his teammate Jamaal Charles, to light the downtown area known as the Plaza.

In freezing weather, on live television, they flipped on the lights. Weeks later, Jones struggled to describe the feeling in a telephone interview.

“Looking out from that stage, I felt like Mick Jagger,” he said. “The energy was amazing.”

Jones will almost surely gain at least 17 yards Sunday against St. Louis, joining an exclusive club of 10,000-yard rushers, as member No. 25. With Charles and Jones, the Chiefs lead the N.F.L. in rushing at 165.4 yards per game. They also lead the A.F.C. West at 8-5, a half game ahead of surging San Diego.