The First Red Friday Of The 2012 NFL Season
By Tim Miller
Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-US PRESSWIRE
It’s Here. The first Red Friday of the 2012 NFL Season. Red Friday has become nothing short of a tradition amongst Chief nation. As cited here, this is the 20th edition of Red Friday, and as a result Kansas City locals will be treated to lots of festivities and events. Hell, even some of downtown Kansas City’s finest landmark buildings will light up their structures with red after the sun goes down.
Lots of great articles have been posted around this week’s home opening matchup with the Atlanta Falcons. I have picked Atlanta to triumphantly hoist the Lombardi trophy in the stadium of their fellow NFC South division foe, the New Orleans Saints, this February. So, honestly I couldn’t be happier to have the quality and caliber of opponent marching into Arrowhead this Sunday. The Kansas City Chiefs need this test, and they need it early. Much hype has surrounded this 2012 squad from various national sports writers alike, up to and including a berth in this year’s Super Bowl opposite the Green Bay Packers. This hype is certainly deserved, as all of the Chiefs offseason acquisitions and moves have been well documented. So it’s fitting for me to have the Chiefs as a 3 point home underdog when they come storming out of that tunnel on Sunday. Call it high octane fuel for a Falcon ass whipping.
Despite not having their best defensive player (arguably of course) on the field coming off the edge to terrorize Matt Ryan, I do believe the Chiefs will be pumped beyond all measure and they will not only win, but win by double digits. As a fan it’s impossible not to be drinking a gallon of your team’s kool-aid when the games kickoff on Sunday and Monday. But for KC fans across the country, wearing red today not only symbolizes something that is now a rich tradition, but it speaks to the level of support and enthusiasm Chief fans have. Especially this year. This is the year where many demons will be exercised, such as winning in the postseason for a change.
The Chiefs don’t have a schedule as brutal as the Denver Ponies, but it’s not nearly as soft as New England’s 2012 slate of opponents either. And that’s just fine with me. Many national sports voices thought the Chiefs’ 2010 division crown was a result of a very favorable schedule. The beating the Ravens put on this Chiefs team that year in the wild card round in Arrowhead was proof the red and gold weren’t ready to win on the big stage. You have to learn how to lose before you can learn how to win. This team has learned how to loose under Scott Pioli’s tenure. So now, it’s time for them to learn how to win.
Win big. Win loud. Make a massive week one statement.
It starts with clipping the wings of the high flying and favored Atlanta Falcons on Sunday at 12 p.m. CST in Arrowhead. But before that, it starts with every Chief fan from coast to coast wearing Red today. Wearing it loud and proud. How do you wear Red? Drop in your comments for me AA nation. And if you’re like me don’t have the pleasure of partaking in a happy hour later today in Kansas City, then wherever you call home, drink a glass or four of your favorite Red ale and toast to what will be a glorious 2012 season. Cheers.