Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes has elevated the fan experience at Arrowhead Stadium

Contributing writer Ellen Tolsma reflects on the surge of excitement and adrenaline at Arrowhead Stadium now that Patrick Mahomes is the Chiefs quarterback.

I’ve now had the opportunity to witness Patrick Mahomes twice in person. I witnessed his first career start in Kansas City against the San Francisco 49ers as well as his start against the number one defense of the Jacksonville Jaguars and I have some observations.

Let’s begin with September 23, 2018: the first start. I, of course, arrived at the stadium at 7:00 a.m. to begin tailgating. As the smoke began to rise from the grills of the church of Arrowhead, anticipation was in the air, its faithful followers ready to raise their voices. You could feel the magic and excitement of every fan in the parking lot.

What was most thrilling, however, was the moment he entered the field. As you may or may not know, the Chiefs announce either the starting offense or the starting defense each game. It was the starting offense for the home opener. As names filtered through, including Sammy Watkins, Tyreek Hill, Kareem Hunt, and Travis Kelce, you could feel the anticipation rise. Then it happened. Patrick Mahomes II took the field.

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Running out of the tunnel, we watched as the hopes and dreams of Chiefs Kingdom came alive. The stadium shook, and they were rewarded. The offense came out hot and immediately pulled out in front of the 49ers. Every time Mahomes took a snap, the crowd went wild. This moment is what so many Chiefs fans had been waiting for. Finally, they had their own quarterback—a magician who can make things happen. Hope on third-and-long. The feeling that nothing is quite out of reach.

But that isn’t where this story ends. I also got up Sunday morning and arrived amidst a downpour at 7:00 a.m., once again, to watch the still undefeated Chiefs take on the Jacksonville Jaguars. This was a game I had my eye on early when the schedule was announced. The Jaguars defense is fantastic and I had high hopes for the offense, but I never anticipated a game like this.

First, let’s talk about the weather. A downpour for the majority of tailgating did little to dampen my spirits. We did our best to fashion a makeshift tent out of tarp and the backs of two SUVs. It worked okay. Chiefs fans were cloaked in ponchos (sold out everywhere around the city so shoutout to my parents for being overprepared and helping out their daughter who apparently does not plan ahead well). As we made our way to the stadium, rain dripping down our faces, I was giddy. Thrilled to watch the Chiefs take on yet another test. Time and time again this season, it seems like the media has said, “Yes, the Chiefs are good, but wait for this test.” And time and time again, the Chiefs pass it.

Sunday, they announced the starting defense, which in retrospect, was a good thing. The Chiefs defense carried the day and that is what told me that Arrowhead has woken up. I can remember back in the day when the rumble of Arrowhead was so loud you couldn’t hear yourself think. I experienced that again on Sunday. There was one particularly long commercial break and the Jaguars were going for it on 4th down. The crowd NEVER stopped yelling. Seats became drums and the defense was jumping all over the field urging the crowd to yell louder. Then I looked over at the sideline. There was Patrick Mahomes. He was jumping up and down urging the crowd to get even louder. And they followed.

dark. Next. Does Veach have a master (secret) plan for the defense?

Arrowhead has woken up. This is the dawning of a new age. We talk about the Arrowhead advantage, and boy is it back. I don’t care what anyone says. Arrowhead Stadium may have lost some of its fear over the years, but ladies and gentlemen, it is back. Patrick Mahomes has stirred the beast of Arrowhead. Any team that has to play here beware because this team, this fandom, this stadium is alive. And we are ready.

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