I love the Kansas City Chiefs
By Nick Floyd
Nov 2, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs fans show their support during the first half against the New York Jets at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
This week, I wanted to do something a little different.
Over the past week I was able to travel back to my homeland, Kansas, and spend some time with my family. The festivities included throwing a surprise 60th birthday party for my mom, Kathy.
During this party, I had many family members present. The one in particular I enjoyed visiting with was my uncle Donnie.
You see, Donnie came to this party in a Chiefs sweatshirt, a good sign that one is in the heart of Kansas. We then proceeded to have a conversation about the Chiefs that really stuck with me. For one, it was nice to talk with a fellow fan, and a family member to boot. Secondly, anyone who has read some of my posts, knows I am currently residing in Ogallala, Nebraska.
Yes it is that small, just like it sounds.
Being here in western Nebraska, I have the unfortunate circumstance of being way too close to Denver Broncos territory. So most of my trips to Wal-Mart or to another grocery store is filled with Bronco cakes, Terrell Davis BBQ sauce, and much worse items. So being in my hometown, a mere hour-and-a-half from Arrowhead, talking with my uncle about the Chiefs was a welcome change for sure.
It was during this chat that my uncle said something to me that really made me think. He said, “If the Royals could figure it out, so could the Chiefs.”
That hit a spark in me. For those who may not know, the Royals have made a huge franchise turnaround, going to the World Series last year after missing the playoffs for 29 consecutive seasons. The team has come together and in such a way that they have turned into a championship contender.
Oct 26, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs nose tackle Dontari Poe (92) congratulates defensive end Allen Bailey (97) after Bailey
Could the Chiefs use this same formula?
Kansas City is a young team, in the third year of head coach Andy Reid’s system. The first year saw the team make the single biggest turnaround in the organization’s storied history, going from 2-14 to 11-5. The second year was filled with some disappointment, ending in a 9-7 record and missing the playoffs.
What could the third year bring?
I love my Kansas City Chiefs. I have enjoyed them in the bad years, even more in the good years. But one thing has been a constant: that loyalty and love for a team I have cheered on for the better part of 20 years.
What about this team do I feel most drawn to? Ask any fan who has sat in the stadium on a frigid day in November or December why they love this team and each may have a different answer. For me it is the feeling I get when watching the team. I cheer when they have success, I cringe when there is an injury, I yell at the ref when they clearly make the wrong call. Something about the sights and smells of Arrowhead on game day, whether it is 100 degrees or -32 degrees, it still feels like home.
In the end, the Chiefs feel like a family, much in the way I was able to visit with my family and talk about the team. There is something that cannot be explained in that. This organization is like a part of my family and being able to read about them, or talk about them, or watch the games is sharing an experience unlike any other.
Kansas City has been a part of my life for more than two decades. I will cheer the team on through the losses and the victories, the good and the bad. So when people ask me why I love this organization, I will simply say, because it is like a family, and families stick together.
On a side note, my trek back into Kansas will become a more permanent one in the next month as the wife and I move back. We are excited for this opportunity, and I am excited because for the first time in two years, I will get to see every game. Of course being closer to family is a plus, but also being close to my Chiefs family is just as good.
Thanks for reading, Addicts. Keep cheering on the Chiefs, and stay tuned to Arrowhead Addict for all your Chiefs news and opinions.
Go Chiefs!