So, if you missed my piece on Christmas, I was at the Chiefs/Colts game. Not only was I there, but I went on the Game Day Tour and took a bunch of photos both on the field and from the stands throughout the game.
Now, before you start commenting — Yes, I know I have a spot that appears consistently in every shot, but I have been away from a computer with Photoshop for a while so you’ll just have to deal with it.
Without further ado, I give you Chiefs-Colts:
Photo by Nick Clayon
Of course, the game began with visible protests by loyal Chiefs fans. Hard to argue with their message.
Photo by Sherry Clayton (my mom)
Before the game, I chatted with Chiefs Hall-of-Fame Safety Deron Cherry about what the team needs to do to regain relevancy next year. Even though he had been brought in by the team to talk to fans at the VIP tailgate, he couldn’t hide his lack of faith in the team’s current front office, coaching staff and quarterback unit.
Photo by Nick Clayton
The Game Day Tour began in the Draft Room, where, for a price, you can get an all-game buffet and watch from the bar.
Photo by Nick Clayton
This is the level where the Broadcast Suites are located, which can be had for the low, low price of $250,000-$350,000 per season. Apparently, as a part of his contract, Matt Cassel has reserved one of the suites for his family and friends. It’s the one around the corner.
P.S. I have a feeling it will be coming available soon.
Photo by Nick Clayton
One of the cameramen manning the array of lenses stationed on the Broadcast Level.
Photo by Nick Clayton
This is where the magic happens.
At the top level of the press box, a small hard-working team of mixers, splicers, graphic artists and editors take in all the available video and audio from the field and package it into what you seen from your couch, bar stool or building ledge (given the way this particular season has gone).
Photo by Nick Clayton
Everything is routed first through an AV truck on the ground before it gets up the to the top level and it is sent out from there.
Photo by Nick Clayton
This booth also this year gets all the instant replay video real-time before the refs on the field do. They’re allowed to release it to audiences after a certain point but don’t get to give a heads up to the home team regarding challenges, unfortunately.
Photo by Nick Clayton
It’s high up there.
Photo by Nick Clayton
Next, we went down to the tunnel where we got to see Warpath’s pen/staging area. Generally, he’s watching the game, ready to run out onto the field when the Chiefs score. So … he’s in need of exercise.
Nonetheless, later this game …
Photo by Nick Clayton
We ended up going out of the tunnel at the same time as some of the Chiefs cheerleaders …
Photo by Nick Clayton
… and some of the Colts players as well.
Photo by Nick Clayton
About a half hour before kickoff, Colts fans were as much if not more conspicuous than Chiefs fans.
Photo by Nick Clayton
But some hardcore fans were definitely already entrenched.
Photo by Nick Clayton
Photo by Nick Clayton
Even if some were there for selfish reasons …
Photo by Nick Clayton
Luck is a very tall guy, btw.
Photo by Nick Clayton
I wasn’t the only photographer on the field before the game. Some people get paid for this gig, apparently.
Photo by Nick Clayton
Walking along the sidelines, I saw a few things during the warm-ups that I hope to never see in Arrowhead again. First would be RB Peyton Hillis throwing passes.
Photo by Nick Clayton
Second is Scott Pioli smiling.
Photo by Nick Clayton
Two great special teams players:
Pro Bowl Punter Dustin Colquitt
Photo by Nick Clayton
And future Hall of Fame Kicker Adam Vinateri
Photo by Nick Clayton
Also, NT Dontari Poe seems to think that his head doesn’t look Klingon-sized enough, so he wears his helmet accordingly.
Photo by Nick Clayton
And DE Tyson Jackson is huuuuge in person.
Photo by Nick Clayton
Arrowhead Yoga Club.
Photo by Nick Clayton
RT Eric Winston looks sickening and disgusting behind the shadow of his facemask.
Photo by Nick Clayton
QB Brady Quinn takes a long, hard look at the receivers he would mostly miss during the game.
Photo by Nick Clayton
Defensive studs of a feather flock together.
Photo by Nick Clayton
QB Coach Jim Zorn wants YOU to be a signal-caller for the Chiefs. Seriously. We’ll take anyone at this point.
Photo by Nick Clayton
S Kendrick Lewis is a friendly guy.
Photo by Nick Clayton
Chiefs cheerleaders urge you to self-medicate responsibly while watching the team.
Photo by Nick Clayton
Chiefs Owner Clark Hunt came down to chat with the fans along the sidelines. I considered talking to him, then asked myself what I would say. “Nice job”? I’m not a phony. “These are the personnel moves you need to make if you don’t want to be universally viewed as a total joke of an owner”? I didn’t want to be either of those guys. So I just snapped his picture.
Photo by Nick Clayton
Once the game got underway, Brady completed his first pass!
Photo by Nick Clayton
Quinn connected on his second pass as well for a touchdown — to Colts CB Darius Butler.
Luckily our defense held strong most of the game, with Pro Bowl ILB Derrick Johnson chasing ball-carriers all over their own backfield.
Photo by Nick Clayton
And a good time was had by all …
Photo by Nick Clayton
Photo by Nick Clayton
Photo by Nick Clayton
And clearly Chiefs fans are cuter than Colts fans …
Photo by Nick Clayton
We have that going for us at least …