Thank you, Kansas City Chiefs: A fan letter

Nov 22, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs fans do the tomahawk chop during the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Dear, Kansas City Chiefs Organization,

As many of us die hard fans in the Chiefs Kingdom, who join in on Red Friday’s, and fill the seats at Arrowhead Stadium, sit down to eat with family and friends this Thanksgiving, I wanted to write a heartfelt thank you letter.

I started out as a young boy, not knowing as much about football as I do now in my 30s, but I knew I liked my Chiefs. I have fond memories of watching games on Sunday’s with my dad and, when he was old enough, my brother. We would get home from church, get a plate of food, and proceed to cheer on our boys in red against various opponents. My dad still watches when he can, and the texts between my brother and I happen regularly on Sundays.

Some games, when I was younger, you would come out winners and we would celebrate with you in victory. Other times, the fates would not allow for a win and we would feel the pain of defeat. But even in those times of defeat and aching hearts, we would still cheer for you. It is in those moments of anguish that the fires of fandom would burn a little brighter.

Everyone knows that it is so much easier to cheer for a team when they are winning, but the real test of a fan is to cheer in those moments of bad seasons. As a fan, I have experienced those, some are still etched into my memory, and I can recall the bad times. But, I also know that, like most things, those moments come to pass.

Nov 1, 2015; London, United Kingdom; Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston (50) celebrates with teammates Tamba Hall (91) and Eric Fisher (72) after intercepting a pass in the second quarter against the Detroit Lions during game 14 of the NFL International Series at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

I must confess at the beginning of this season I, like many fans, had the highest of hopes for the third year of head coach Andy Reid, and this rejuvenated team. The ceiling was set high for the team as you entered in 2015. But I hate to admit, like some seasons past, I began to doubt what was happening to this team I had such high hopes for.

A five-game losing streak, was something neither myself, nor any of the writers here at Arrowhead Addict, could have seen coming. We, along with fans were baffled. This was supposed to be our year, the year we take down our biggest rival in the Denver Broncos, the year we take back the AFC West. However, it was looking quite bleak for awhile there. The loss of games hurt, but the loss of All-Pro running back Jamaal Charles was the biggest nail in the coffin of the 2015 season.

Then something changed.

All of a sudden this team, which was once at the bottom looking up, was suddenly moving in the opposite direction. Victories against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Detroit Lions, were unexpected, but not shocking given the state of those teams. Then the hill that has been staring at the Chiefs for the past four years was staring back at the them, we would once again face Denver. This time we would face them with the knowledge of a very winnable game in week two slipped through our fingers.

Now, I got to go to that game and I saw something I was not expecting, fire. The whole team was fired up. From my vantage point I could see linebacker Tamba Hali, standing on the sidelines high-fiving and pumping up every player coming off the field. I could also see the entire Denver bench sit and wonder what is going on with their team, and what is happening over there with Kansas City. I watched two historical moments happen, quarterback Peyton Manning broke the all-time passing record, only to be benched for throwing four interceptions in the same game. The Chiefs were different, they were changed.

Me and John Baker on the bus back to the car after the Chiefs smashed the Broncos.

While I may never be allowed to join my friend John Baker, a life long Bronco fan, to another Denver game, because you pounded last years AFC West champs, I left that game with a new perspective on your attitudes and your passion. You have taken a bad situation and not let it destroy you, and rightfully it could have. Starting out 1-5 before rolling to a 5-5 record on a 4 game winning streak, is a complete one-eighty from where you were early in the season.

To say I am shocked to see where you are now from where you began is an understatement. Right now, as I write this letter, you are favored against the struggling Buffalo Bills, a game that will be quite a game to see. It will be interesting to see how Arrowhead welcomes you back. It has been three games since you were last home, and the team that left is not the same that is returning. The crowd will be behind you 110 percent they will have your back and once again show why opponents should fear coming to KC.

This season has been fun to watch, for several reasons. You have become the team we all knew you were at the beginning, and have done so without your star player Charles. Regardless of how the rest of the season plays out it has been amazing to watch it unfold.

So thank you Kansas City Chiefs. Yes there are good years and bad years, but this team still fires me up and I will cheer you on for the rest of my life. I will pass this passion down to my children, creating generations of Chiefs fans for years to come, much like there are now. This is our team, and I for one cannot wait to see what comes next.

Sincerely,

Nick Floyd, Chiefs Fan