Chiefs Kingdom’s Burgeoning Love Affair – While many Kansas City Chiefs fans are focused on the possibility of a dynasty in the next decade, it’s worth noting that the 2020 Chiefs have, come a long way baby, especially over the past two decades. 2020 may not be the dream year that so many people in the world are experiencing, but with a sensational Super Bowl victory in February and the miracle work of GM Brett Veach to get so many players from that Super Bowl roster re-signed as well as bringing back Chris Jones and getting the new face of the league, Patrick Mahomes II, re-structured to a ten-year deal, fans in Chiefs Kingdom are not only growing, but they’re glowing, becoming increasingly enamored with the team… more than ever before.
A Tragedy Worse Than You Can Shake-a-speare At
Ten short years ago, the Kansas City Chiefs were 4-and-12 at season’s end while Scott Pioli (GM), Todd Haley (HC) and Matt Cassel (QB) were occupying positions of authority at One Arrowhead Way. The very next season, Haley was fired on December 12, and replaced by Romeo Crennel. Four months later, the Chiefs faithful rekindled their love for the team when they drafted: NT Dontari Poe, OG Jeff Allen, and OT Donald Stephenson (?). By the end of 2012, the tragedy that had become the Kansas City Chiefs on the field with a 2-and-14 record, became much, much more serious, when on December 1st, Linebacker Jovan Belcher killed his girlfriend, and mother of his child, then drove to the Arrowhead parking lot where he held a gun to his own head while Scott Pioli, Romeo Crennel, and coach Gary Gibbs pled with him to drop his weapon. Belcher shot himself ending perhaps the worst chapter in Chiefs history.
Nothing worse can be said of that time in Chiefs history but, to add further damage to the drama, the team finished with the worst record in the league (which also meant they would have the first pick in the 2013 draft). There was also the saveourchiefs.com movement that loomed over much of that season.
A Disney Moment For Our Love Affair
One month after that December from Hades, owner Clark Hunt had replaced his Head Coach and General Manager with Andy Reid and John Dorsey. Shortly thereafter, quarterback Matt Cassel was released and they traded two second round picks to San Francisco for QB Alex Smith. The Chiefs proceeded to draft Eric Fisher that offseason to serve as the new Left Tackle of the future then Reid and company reeled off 9… that’s right, nine… straight victories to begin the season on the way to an 11-and-5 record. And the healing of the Love Affair was under way.
Hiring Andy Reid, for Chiefs fans, has been like Lady and the Tramp discovering they’re sharing the same noodle.
The red Won/Loss Roller Coaster noodle above — before 2013 — is much longer than either Lady or the Tramp want to suck on… maybe that’s because it does suck. The Chiefs had all of 4 winning seasons in this century, prior to 2013: a 13 year period. From 2007 to 2012, a 6-year span, they had four or fewer wins, 5 times. Yet, Kansas City Chiefs fans still showed up and we were still in Love with our team.
It’s as much about the players that have come to represent the Chiefs as anything else. Who’s not crazy for Patrick Mahomes, right? However, the team is filled with more than players such as Mahomes. While it’s easy to look backwards like we did above, Alan Haupt shared a great preview of the Chiefs salary cap yesterday called, The Future of the Chiefs Salary Cap, in Depth. Take a peek if you haven’t already. One little Future Shock salary cap factoid of note is: five short years from now, there’s only one player on the Chiefs payroll, and that’s Mr. Wonderful, Patrick Mahomes II of course. Glance backwards one year from that and in 2024, it’s only Harrison Butker and PMII. Three years from now, in 2023, there are only 6 players on the Chiefs payroll.
It begs the question: what are we really in love with? Maybe a better question is: who are we in love with?
The Juan and Only
One such player that has struck a chord with me is Safety Juan Thornhill. When Thornhill was first introduced the the Kansas City Chiefs season ticket holders at Arrowhead Stadium in late April of 2019, he said, “Alright, listen to me right here, I know we got the best offense, so, you know, y’all brought me here to get the ball back to the offense.” The Arrowhead crowd in attendance went wild of course as Thornhill holds his mic up like he’s holding a fist in the air, then continues, “So look, look, I don’t got 13 interceptions (referring to his many INTs at the University of Virginia) for no reason. So, I’m going to bring them all here and a little bit of more.”
Mitch Holthus, who was the master of this ceremony egged the crowd on by asking, “There’s a little place over there called ‘Amen Corner’ … you got an interception in you to take to the house?” Before Thornhill could answer, Holthus turns to the crowd and asks, “What happens with a pick-6 from Juan Thornhill, what’s it going to sound like?” Once again all Arrowheaders scream in delight. To which Thornhill replies, “Listen, I like the sound of that but, if I get a pick-6 I’m jumping into the stands. I want y’all to take me up to the concession stand.” Unbridaled cheers. Again.
Holthus then asked Thornhill what he thought when he found out… “You’re going to be a Kansas City Chief? Thornhill replied,
“Honestly, I didn’t expect a call at all. I was sitting there with my family and the whole community then I got that phone call and I’m not even an emotional person but I immediately broke down and started crying. Cause I know that this is a good place to be, and I’m excited to be here.”
As Mitch Holthus was concluding the ceremony, he asked each of the rookies – Hardman, Thornhill, and Saunders – to give their thoughts as they start this life with the Chiefs Kingdom? Hardman said, “Get to work and bring a Super Bowl back” but, when Thornhill responded he said, “Listen, listen. My thoughts are simple. I’m Home! That’s all that matters, I’m Home baby, let’s go! I’m Home”… then holds his arms in the air, driving the throng of Arrowhead masses crazy.
How do you not fall in love with this guy? His genuine smile, with such a shy and unassuming personality. Thornhill is coming off of an injury late in his rookie season of 2019. With 3 INTs as in his first year he’s off to a great start but, I can’t wait to see what the rest of his career will look like. Especially playing next to Tyrann Mathieu. This is to take nothing away from Mecole Hardman or Khalen Saunders, they’re fine young gentlemen as well. The length of time we have these players linked to K.C., as in committed, may be tenuous for a large percentage of the roster, but the commitment of Chiefs Kingdom is forever.
Besides… he wears my favorite number.
Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne
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