(Addicts, I want everyone to welcome Randy Murawski, aka Randy5k, to the staff. Randy is a long-time A.A. commenter and a season ticket holder who attends all the home Chiefs games and even some road ones. Randy will serve as our Arrowhead correspondent, checking in with his report from our Red and Gold sanctuary after every home game. Great stuff. Enjoy… – Adam)
Pulling into Stadium Drive from my favorite BBQ joint seemed much different than the last home game. There were tailgaters. Lots of tailgaters. Hadn’t seen that in awhile. The air was filled with BBQ smells, footballs being tossed, and something else I hadn’t seen in a very long time. Optimism.
The weather was fantastic and plenty of female fans were taking advantage of summer tops. Life was looking good.
This was going to be a different day, a good day, and my buddy and I were excited about it.
As we sat on the lot taking in the sights and smells, a father showed his young daughter proper arm positioning as they played catch. The folks next to us, a mix of both Bucs and Chiefs fans boiled shrimp and played tailgate toss. The folks behind us played music and danced.
I didn’t feel the doom I had felt at the previous home game.
As we walked to our seats across the parking lot, it was difficult to navigate through the construction and cars but we finally made it to the gates.
I spoke to some of my regular pals when I got to our seats and we talked about the team and the most recent player news, mainly Larry Johnson. My friend in the next row, David’s, overwhelming opinion was not surprisingly that it’s time for LJ to pack his bags and go, and that the old Penn State curse had reared its head once again…Dwayne Bowe’s departure was also discussed and there is growing opinion that we might be better off without him as well.
Whatever your personal opinion on Tony Gonzalez, he is back in the good graces of the Red Sea patrons,
There were a couple of Bucs fans in our section, all very friendly and polite. They didn’t seem to have much of a presence in the place. I heard very little if any cheering when the plays went their way the entire game.
By halftime everyone was thrilled.
During the halftime break, we all discussed the fact that nobody really had a favorite Chiefs player any more. The question required thought from everyone I asked. Not sure if that’s the sad state of affairs of the team or the rebuilding plan. We discussed with reverence the ring of fame that circles the stadium and wondered out loud what Mack Lee Hill and Joe Delaney could have accomplished had they been given a longer time on earth.
The Old School Jersey post had me looking around and I saw some very obscure ones, though nobody had my Okoye jersey on. I wore it during the Denver game and I kind of hoped it would bring us luck again today. It almost did.
Late in the third quarter two groups of three or four very attractive and friendly female Chiefs fans claimed the empy seats next to me after making an unconvincing effort to pretend that their tickets were actually in our section. That made the high fives and smiles much more enjoyable for everyone around us. They may have been cheerleaders because they demonstrated cheerleader moves during key points in the latter half of the game. We never got a wave going but our sections chop made it around the place a couple of times. The crowd noise through the game was nearly old school Arrowhead. Loud and excited. No negativity on this beautiful day to be heard.
It occurred to me that is a big reason the stadium looks so empty on tv, the fans move to the empty seats they find below and the cameras then tend to focus on the empty upper sections.
Midway through the fourth quarter I asked regulars Mike and his wife if they thought we could win. Their answer, “no but at least we aren’t shut out”. It seemed unreasonably pessimistic at the time but turned out to be very prophetic.
We watched a crane work its way to the south end of the parking lot and it occurred to me that the stadium is undergoing exactly what we are putting the team through. A total rebuild. It’s a huge pain in the ass to navigate the stadium right now but hopefully in the end it will be worth it. I sure hope the same holds true for the team.
As we left the stadium for the parking lot the crowd was noticeably quiet but overall remained optimistic. The Bucs fans came out of the woodwork including one with a large very realistic schooner on his head, complete with sails and jolly roger flapping in the wind. Lots of comments as we passed by but nothing particularly offensive. I heard much worse from teams in our division after a loss. The comments were delivered in very good-natured tones. Much different from when the Raiders come calling.
I realized I didn’t have much of a voice left.
It was a disappointing outcome, but I think we all had to admit that the team performed at a much higher level than we had hoped.
If you haven’t made it to Arrowhead lately because of the losing streak we are on, I have to say that I think you really need to give it a chance again.
The tickets are cheaper than they have ever been, gas is cheaper than it’s been in a long time.
Thousands of Chiefs fans are just itching to talk shop with you no matter what your outlook or opinions.
The beer at the refreshment stands is cold.
The BBQ in KC is fantastic and the food in the parking lot , always enthusiastically shared with strangers, is even better.
You know its not the old Arrowhead right now, but I can tell you from my experiences at other stadiums this year it’s still one of the best in the league. And with Thiggy’s performances lately and some other new faces on the field I truly believe the old Arrowhead is on its way back. It might be hard for some to believe but I cant wait fo the Saints game in two weeks. Hope to see you there!
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First…glad it was a great gameday (despite the loss)…
BUT, despite what people who sit near you are thinking I believe there is little chance Larry goes anywhere and I dont care about growing opinions…Dwayne Bowe is not going anywhere for a looooooong time…that is ridiculous to even speculate about…in fact I have no idea why anyone would say it…lol…no chance…zero…0…
Lastly…I look forward to attending a Chiefs game next year…but I am standing with the commitment I made after attending the Raiders game and they insulted the fans by performing the Quarterback Carousel (LIVE!!!) that I would not attend another game and so reward this administration (if you will) this season…
Again, great report, Randy. Now I miss Arrowhead more than ever!
As for the D-Bowe thing, I just think his brash Southern style throws some K.C. fans off a bit, but he’s a good kid and a very hard worker. I sincerely hope people aren’t lumping him in with L.J. He’s been a model citizen on and off the field. Some people are just turned off by the modern-day cockiness of WRs. Personally, I think it helps more often than not, as it’s a position which requires confidence.
When is the next game you will attend Adam? We should probly have us an AA (not alcoholics anonymous…) tailgate thing…but…like I said I cant go til next year…
Nice to see King Carl has infiltrated our ranks and is now putting out disinformation. That Burger King header pissed him off I bet.
And D-Bowe got to go?? That’s just blasphemy.
Nice to see my Harm Edwards getting some face time on the banner. I might have to get on Wikipedia and edit Herm’s Entry tonight.
I think the name is getting enough traction that it can be edited to his Wiki! We love you for that one, Damage.
Hey…there is good news…we should get another win…seein as Oakland had -2 Offensive Yards in the first half today…77 total on the day…
I quit reading after that ridiculous assertion regarding Dwayne Bowe…Are you out of your mind? The kid isn’t going anywhere..He is already perhaps the best WR this team has ever had in the History of the Chiefs…Ever.. He has better numbers than Rison had with the chiefs and Rison was in his prime then…Check his stats..And the best thing is he is only half way into his second year..Why would you even say anything like that? Yes lets get rid of all of our best players..Sound good? I don’t think so…
By the way I’m really liking Bradley..How did Chicago ever let him go? He’s good and I think him and Bowe will make a good combo..Thigpen continues to impress me actually..I was way down on him a couple of weeks ago (most of us we’re and for good reason) but if he keeps up this play I will vote for him to be our guy for the future..But I guess we will see..
And Jamal Charles could be an elite back in this league one day…We truly have an amazing back field it’s just to bad our line sucks..If our line was mediocre, LJ would be running 150 yards every game.
Kolby is impressive as well
D-BO got to go is blasphemy Crane. Anyone who would say that has lost their damn mind and I would laugh in their face. Sorry but its moronic.
Randy welcome to the site and great job on the first post.
Woody the whole family is planning on gathering at Arrowhead for the Dolphins game in December. Adam and me are working on doing some sort of AA tailgate. This Old Chief, Adam, and me are definitely going to be there and I am sure much much more.
Randy, meet backhanded compliment. lol Z
I think we should all wear toilet seats around our necks at the Miami game. The Toilet Bowl. Except now Miami is 5-4…
Great to be aboard guys. We sure miss the Best family here in Spfld. Im blessed to be able to attend every game its been a tough tough year to drive that six plus hours round trip but there are so many reasons to do it one is I keep in contact with old friends that way and two is just that after a game like today or the Denver game you just cant lose the optimism in your heart. The Arrowhead fans wont let you do it.
ohhhh springfield…what route do you take? 71 N? I am Carthage/Joplin…yaaaaaay…
That is cool that yall are getting together for that game…but that would violate my commitment to not attend this year…you know how it is…
good points Sandya…I agree on Bradley, their GM is dumb…How much more proof do you need than to know Norv Turners brother is their Offensive Coordinator…
Thigpen played ok…his final stats were like 14/25 or something…but he didnt turn it over…I still need to see more before I dub him QBOTF…of course…
I know the context of the statement is such that they should be taken lightly but if you get a chance to hear Gruden’s speech, he goes out of his way to praise the Chiefs more than usual…it looked more sincere than belichick, ill just say that lol…
Where are your seats, Randy?
Charles looks solid, Albert is progressing nicely, and the lessons our corners learn every week only speeds up their development. And our D-line is coming around better than i had expected. Optimism abounds. Nice to see Springfield in the AA mix. Many great memories made from 13 to Truman Sports Complex.
We stop at Osceola Cheese and clean the samples out then buy an .89 bottled water to take into the stadium and tell the lady behind the counter she needs to go to the game with us for the fiftieth time.
Arrive at Arthur Bryants at 9:30 and toss the ball around on the parking lot with everybody and wait until they open at 9:45. Where else can you get the best bbq there is at 9:45 in the morning? All part of the ritual.