Hunt Family Values: Change Is Slow

Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

Clark, I hope you’ll take time out of your day to read this.

I’m kind of at a loss for words here, Mr. Chairman. I always have an opinion to share, but I’m really running out of ways to talk about how bad this football team is. I strongly considered resigning my post here at Arrowhead Addict (I’m only kidding, Patrick). That’s the easy way out of having to find a fresh perspective on such a rotten situation for the next six weeks. Put simply, I can’t quench today’s thirst with yesterday’s water. This slumping franchise has now lost seven straight games. I’ve taken your hapless starting quarterback to task in a number of articles. I’ve lambasted your head coach and his near-historical level of incompetence. I’ve even called your woeful general manager a “coward.” What more can I say?

You’ve got Chiefs Kingdom in an uproar, Mr. Hunt. Fans are waiting on your next move with bated breath. Many of them are concerned that your silence and failure to relieve anyone of duty suggests there won’t be major changes made at One Arrowhead Drive in the near future. Some are even calling you a chip off the old block, Clark. I’m sure they intend your father no disrespect. Lamar Hunt is one of the pioneering pillars of the NFL. He coined the name of the game that fans so desperately want this franchise to win again, the “Super Bowl.”

Despite everything your dad did for the Kansas City Chiefs, he still had to answer for allowing Jack Steadman and Carl Peterson to stick around for so long. You know that as well as anyone. It was you who rid the organization of Carl Peterson. Four years into the failed administration of Scott Pioli, fans are worried that they’ve seen this movie before. It’s a bit like being thirty minutes into “Taken 2.” Things were supposed to be different, but it’s essentially the same plot.

The Chiefs stand at 1-9, are guaranteed a losing season, and look to be in the driver’s seat for the #1 pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. Sunday’s loss to the Bengals marked the sixth time Kansas City has been blown out this year. Matt Cassel has been benched for the second time this season. An equally uninspiring Brady Quinn is likely to return as the starter on Sunday when Peyton Manning and the AFC West leading Denver Broncos come to town. Arrowhead Stadium has been pillaged time and again in 2012. The Chiefs have yet to win a game on their home field. All of that said, Thanksgiving is upon us and there are precious few things to be thankful for in Kansas City.

If there was ever a time to instill some confidence in a disgruntled fanbase, now is that time, sir. It’s unlikely that an in-season firing will make much constructive difference in the product on the field, but you can certainly send a message. Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams recently came out and voiced his displeasure with the direction of his franchise. Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson pink-slipped general manager Marty Hurney last month. Cleveland’s Jimmy Haslam hadn’t even made a dent in the owner’s chair when he removed Mike Holmgren as the team’s president.

I’m not sure what it will take for you to come forward, but you’re running out of options. You’re going to have a tough time getting people out to Arrowhead for your final three home games. Fans would appreciate a clear communication that you’re just as fed up with this awful brand of football as they are. Especially those who are paying to see it.

So what’s it going to be, Mr. CEO? Are you prepared to separate yourself from the lamentable part of your father’s legacy? Do you agree that the Kansas City Chiefs stand in dire need of new direction? When are you going to demand more of your general manager, head coach, quarterback, and the rest of your team? If you aren’t prepared to answer those questions, you’ll be left with trying to figure out how to win this fanbase back. It’s your move, Clark.

Until next time, Addicts!