Josh Kingsley
The CHIEFS continued a time honored tradition and made their way to the White House this week. This year’s trip produced a couple notable things. The CHIEFS presented POTUS with a custom jersey.
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That alone is not interesting. What IS interesting is the fact this was the CHIEFS first trip despite being their third title. The Super Bowl IV win precedes the White House visit tradition. Super Bowl LIV’s win lacked the proper fanfare due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In many ways this was 53 years in the making. The crazy thing is it almost didn’t happen this time either. Lamar Hunt’s widow, Norma, the matriarch of the organization passed away the day before the visit.
Remembering Norma
I cannot begin to match the tone of the CHIEFS official statement, so this will merely add my comments. My thoughts are with Clark, who I assume wrote the touching tribute, and the rest of his family. All accounts I have heard of her and Lamar before remain in step with the kindness and sports passion mentioned. Norma’s streak of a 57 straight Super Bowl’s is more unbreakable than DiMaggio’s 56-game hit streak.
Norma and Lamar remain the gold standard for a sports power couple.
The sports world is a better place because of her and her late husband. Together they gave us the modern NFL, US soccer and the team that Jordan built (had no idea about the Bulls founding investment until reading the release). Records and precedents exist for the breaking.
The Hunts are one of one, and… never duplicated.
This commentary is about Norma, but I mention Lamar throughout. The reality is they remain forever intertwined. This CHIEFS team is truly a celebration of their lives and the joy they will continue to bring KC. Thanks to them both, and RIP Norma.
Back to the WH Visit
I’m glad the CHIEFS went. Biden’s moment of silence for Norma was a nice touch, which I enjoyed and appreciated. First Lady, Jill Biden’s noted unhappiness with the Eagle’s Super Bowl loss was another, much more petty, moment of enjoyment. I also got the impression Andy’ Reid’s been waiting his whole life to talk about White House cooking. A great day in front of the cameras for the team.
That all led to what we all know was the best moment. Right after the jersey presentation. Mahomes and Kelce finished up the photo op with POTUS. A brief moment of “what comes next?” President Biden folds his jersey. Kelce in his loud, red suit turns to walk back to his spot. And then stops at the podium. The world froze for a moment as Travis addresses his people… for half a sentence. Mahomes, AKA –> the adult in the room, immediately puts an end to Kelce’s speech.
The real question on everyone’s mind: was this rehearsed?
Scenario 1: Fully Rehearsed
In this world we build a long con. Let’s follow the steps. The CHIEFS make the jersey. Who presents the jersey? Patrick Mahomes as the NFL and Super Bowl MVP staked obvious claim to the duty and honor. He was capable of getting that done alone. The first big operational risk was Patrick suggesting a co-presenter. Names like Coach Reid and Owner Hunt had to come up. Patrick, as the mastermind of this scenario, knows this. He delicately, yet instinctively implies the player honor suggesting his BFF, Travis. Coach Reid reluctantly cedes to the greatest TE of all time.
Patrick’s cloak and dagger operation stepped forward with a swear to secrecy from Travis. The two discussed in depth the need to create an awkward split second after the jersey photo. Building the question was key. Organizers obviously considered this moment placing the table on the stage. Patrick’s look at President Biden to his left secured attention. His look to the right for assistance masterfully controlled the entire event leaving Travis a clear path to glory.
The final consideration was judgement. By that I mean judgement of how far this could actually go. Kelce’s few words were perfect. Mahomes’ intervention timing impeccable. The moment was a classic.
Scenario 2: Common Ground
This is the more believable and likely space. In this instance Patrick planned nothing and reacted to the cheeky whims of one Mr. Kelce. The end of the jersey hand off was undeniably awkward, but that doesn’t make it manufactured. Check out this video from ESPN (0:38).
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At the eight (0:08) second mark you see the aides eagerly waiting to clear the table and move things along. All part of what I’ll call slightly planned protocol. All of that movement created a clear path for Kelce back to his designated spot. A clear path less the podium in the middle of his route. Kelce is an excellent route runner with perfect chemistry with his QB. All the great route runners know adjustments are necessary. The best QB’s know and anticipate this. All the great duos have a conjoined understanding of their when and where.
Patrick and Travis are an exceptional duo. Their chemistry is elite. Watching them on the field feels like watching ESP in action. This was no different. Travis had a route to his spot, but chose to break off the route and hit the podium. Patrick turned on his QB ESP, and adapted. The difference in this situation was disaster prevention as opposed to pass completion. Kelce is a ham who took his shot. Patrick is a good teammate that kept it in check.
Scenario one is more fun… but this is what happened.
Madden 24 Cover
The EA Sports annual reveal of the Madden cover athlete is an event at this point. Cover athlete carries accolades and curses. The Madden cover is most often a player of today. Patrick Mahomes is the obvious player of today. He is the sitting NFL and Super Bowl MVP, and a slam dunk for the cover. He is also a two time cover player in his young career.
That said… EA Sports chose Josh Allen as the Madden 24 cover athlete. Allen and the Bills are undeniably a player and team of today, so the pick mostly makes sense. However, I think there are better options.
Jalen Hurts
Jalen and the Eagles steamrolled the NFC most of last season in route to a Super Bowl appearance. He balled out in said Super Bowl posting 4 TD and 374 total yards. Patrick Mahomes is #1, but Hurts is #2. Hurts should be the Madden 24 cover athlete.
A Defensive Player
The Hurts argument is under the assumption of the cover athlete playing QB. It’s a fair assumption. Three of the previous four covers featured QB with the remaining being John Madden himself post mortem. The NFL is a noted QB league, and Madden matches the league. The most recent non-QB, aside from Madden, was Antonio Brown in 2019. We have to go all the way back to 2015 and Richard Sherman for our most recent defender. Also, he is only the third total defender (Ray Lewis in 2005 and Troy Polamalu along with Larry Fitzgerald in 2010) to grace the cover. I’m not afraid to admit I love offense. Scoring points is fun. But there is another side to the game. I throw up in my mouth as I suggest Micah Parsons from the Cowboys… but he deserves consideration.
By the way, here is the full list of covers for reference.
Damar Hamlin
The country united in support of Damar late last season. He was a full participant in the Bills camp this week. This is a feel good choice, but it doesn’t make it wrong. It also cannot possibly age worse than Peyton Hillis on the cover.
Media of the Week
I caught a couple oldie-but-goodie movies last week. My love for Weird Al Yankovic roots deep. I’ve probably mentioned this one, but UHF is personal favorite. UHF suffers from a bit Barkley/Ewing/etc. movie comparison. It’s a great movie living in someone else’s peak. Jordan owned the 90s. UHF dropped on a weekend in July of 1989. What other movies were in theaters that weekend? Box office order:
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The movie was probably destined for cult classic status and Barkley is probably an overstate, but look at that list. Wow.
The other movie I watched was 1984’s Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (trailer below). It takes the success and character from Raiders of the Lost Ark and adds a healthy dose of gore and occult. I’m all about it (1:34).
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The story is great and the gore is purposeful. Spielberg, Lucas and company did so well they created a new rating. Motion Picture Association seriously considered giving this movie and R rating based on the gore mentioned. The film ultimately received the PG rating, but also created a new PG-13 rating for future instances.
See y’all next week!!
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Josh Kingsley — ArrowheadOne and Arrowhead Kingdom
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