Chiefs Arrowhead Stadium Had a Lot of Terrible Towels In It
by Joel Thorman on Nov 23, 2009 11:21 AM CST
in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Campaign
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PrintI imagine a lot of the Kansas City Chiefs players feed off the energy from the home crowd but on Sunday there was another kind of energy out there. The Pittsburgh Steelers faithful showed up in full force waving terrible towels in Arrowhead.
In fact, the picture to your right comes right after Steelers WR Hines Ward did the Tomahawk Chop in a touchdown celebration.
After the game, Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles acknowledged the presence of all those darn towels.
"We didn’t like that at all," Charles said.
"Coming into our house with those towels, we didn’t like that so we wanted to go out there, Brian (Waters) brought us together before the game and said that our people sold their tickets to them, so we just wanted to go out there, set the tone and hopefully win the game."
Take the motivation wherever you can get it. The Chiefs used it to their advantage but Robert Dvorchak of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes that this is the way it is for all the Steelers away games.
"That's part of the mystique of the Steelers," he writes. "The fan base openly unfurls its towels and battle flags to rename whatever enemy territory with a simple proclamation: You're In Steelers Country."
The Steelers players also recognized their traveling fanbase that came out in solid numbers. Backup QB Charlie Batch said this a sea of terrible towels is a common occurrence in the opponents stadium.
Translation: Don't feel bad, Chiefs fans.
"There were a lot of (Steelers) fans there, but this is how we typically travel. Our fans are well represented in almost any stadium we go to. So that wasn't a suprise to us."
Chiefs DE Glenn Dorsey did note that the Chiefs fans that did show up were loud.
"They had a lot of fans," he said, "maybe more than we did, but we played hard and the fans that did come, they were loud. I had fun, I enjoyed it, so it was a great win."
The Steelers are a big name, and their fans travel well, so the 70,000 or so in paid attendance isn't a surprise. Next month when the Bills and the Browns come to Arrowhead will be a real test to sellout.
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Build It And They Will Come ---Back
I know KC is dying for a solid sports franchise again, so if they continue to steal some victories this year and look solid going into the off-season I fully expect Arrowhead Magic will return in 2010.
AFTER THIS GAME....
I think everyone should be back…..Really think shoulda been back after firing King Carl an Herm, but i understand how awful it is to know your team wont even put up a fight. BUT if anything i have seen this year is this team will never give up. Thats enough of a reason to go out an support this team. It made me sick how many stupid towels i had to see waving around. I live in FL an just couldnt afford my season tix that my family has had since… well ever but If i lived in KC i’d have taken everyone of those stupid yellow towel from anyone swinging it in my face wile i watch MY CHIEFS in MY ARROWHEAD. This team might loose some more games but they are going to fight. There is no more L.J., No more reason not to throw 100% of support into this team. It may not be a championship team..YET. but i believe it will be.
Would ya like a free NANAA!
by Jazzy Megalodon on Nov 23, 2009 12:19 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
rec
We Will kick at least 4 Teams Asses in 09. Almost there :)
And Succop will be the Key in two of them. Skins & Raiders! Pittsburgh Sweet!
" Think and talk positive football off the field." Hank Stram
by Steve_Chiefs on Nov 23, 2009 5:56 PM CST up reply actions
It sucks
but that’s the breaks. A few years ago this would have never happened, I don’t think.
But given the nature of bandwagoneers, it makes sense that the Steelers and Pats have “fans” all over. The Eagles fans, now those guys came to KC in full force back in … ‘04? 05? That was ridiculous, I had the entirety of Kelly’s bar in Westport pointing at me and chanting asshole (they were all Eagles fans in there).
This isn't a "kum-bye-yah" campfire! THIS IS FOOTBALL!
I HATED how CBS treated it like a Steelers home game
The call was very slanted in Pittsburgh’s favor (you could argue it has been earned) but it got incredibly annoying when, while we’re in Arrowhead, the camera constantly cutting to terrible towels and steelers fans.
You had to imagine they were joking before the game how bad the Chiefs were going to get blown out. that said, they should have given us more credit in the second quarter and second half when we were hanging around. they could even, gasp, give us a compliment by telling us they thought we were going to get destroyed but they’ve been proven wrong.
Did you expect anything good from the commentary?
Ian Eagle and Rich Gannon aren’t the worst duo out there, but I’m of the firm belief that pretty much every one of those broadcasters suck putty balls. Every team needs it’s own crew that actually knows the players and their names (GASP! A novel concept, I know); ie-radio broadcast. However, I could see the impartiality disagreements arising already…
This isn't a "kum-bye-yah" campfire! THIS IS FOOTBALL!
You're right.
But it just got to me how they kept cutting to Steelers fans when its a Chiefs home game.
There were a whole lot of Steelers fans there
Probably hard not to find them.
This isn't a "kum-bye-yah" campfire! THIS IS FOOTBALL!
Yeah I never listen any way
I turn off the sound on the TV and match Grigsby and Lenny on the satellite radio.
Kinda like assigning Troy Aikman to call the Dallas game...lol
Winning begins with Attitude - Haley and Pioli will be winners in KC!
I'll forever be a Chiefs fan! Only God himself could take that away from me, but when I get to my great reward, I'll rejoin two bigger fans, my Mom and Dad.
All I gotta say is...
We didn’t sell our tickets, we drove up from Springfield and this was one of the best games I have seen in 3 years. I laugh at the people who sold their tickets because they thought we would get blown out. You missed a great game.
Also, a Steelers fan told me I was scary- I took it as a compliment.
Well we win and there will not be any terrible towels
—because it will be a true sell out. Sad, but that’s how it works in sports. People want to see winners, not losers.
The Stealers are among the most bandwagoned teams of all time
These fans travel? How many of these fans do you think actually have any genuine connection to Pitt? I’d imagine fewer than not. A lot of these Stealers “fans” are just fans of whoever is a winner, Pittsburgh is the all time superbowl leader, ergo, they get a lot of fans.
But look at us. We have the most popular site on SBN, we have how many straight home sellouts (even if those arent entirely genuine sellouts), we have the loudest stadium in the NFL, and we haven’t won a SB since the season of Woodstock. The stealers may have more “fans” but the Chiefs have REAL fans.
For justice we must go to Don Pioli
I am going to have to disagree with you here
on many levels. I grew up in Cleveland and went to college near Pittsburgh. Those Steeler fans are hardcore. To call their fans “bandwagoners” is kind of bogus. They have 6 Super Bowl titles spanning 30 years. They have a lot of fans because they have been good for a long, long time and when people are choosing what teams they want to root for, especially kids, they want to pick a winner. Makes sense.
I became a Chiefs fan when they got Montana. They were a good team. I guess you can say I jumped on the Chiefs band wagon instead of rooting for the hometown Browns who stunk. I also have never been to Kansas City in my life. But you know what? I have stuck by the Chiefs all these years. Once I picked my team I stuck with them.
I true measure of a fan is not their loyalty during the good times but their steadfastness during the bad. I hope that when the Chiefs become a dynasty and I go to see them here in New York decked out in my red and gold that I am not called a “bandwagoner” for never having been to KC (which I hope to do soon) and for rooting for a winner.
I am a Chiefs fan because I rooted for the loser too.
The Steelers have a billion fans because of their tradition of winning. The Chiefs had a half empty stadium and that is depressing. People aren’t always going to show up in the bad times but when the good times get rolling I will welcome them back with open arms. Hopefully over the next 30 years the Chiefs can create a solid tradition of winning so that every game is a home game.
Please help send my girlfriend to Broadway! Visit http://magonbroadway.blogspot.com/
by Patrick Allen on Nov 23, 2009 11:54 AM CST up reply actions 5 recs
I know plenty of Steelers fans as well and their loyalty comes not only from the tradition but from the WAY the franchise wins. They’ve always won with defense, good drafts, and doing things the “right way.” There is just something about the organization that makes it appeal to middle class fans and “the working man.”
Got to +1 this.
I’ve lived in a lot of places across the midwest and east coast, and everywhere I’ve lived there are tons of Steelers’ fans. This goes back decades. They may have a few more bandwagoners than most because of their recent success, but they have a very large, very loyal following.
by NJ Chiefs Fan on Nov 23, 2009 11:59 AM CST up reply actions
I was in Key West with some friends in July
and we walked into a bar and it was a Steelers Bar. In freaking Key West. They have fans everywhere.
Please help send my girlfriend to Broadway! Visit http://magonbroadway.blogspot.com/
by Patrick Allen on Nov 23, 2009 12:07 PM CST up reply actions
There was a green bay bar up the street in KC from where I lived
and an Ohio State Pizza joint in KS. My point is, there’s always going to be transplants, and while your argument is valid, I think the bandwagon continues to grow because of their success. No fault of theirs, but seriously, people jump on bandwagons like nothing else. I mean look at those Croc’s shoes… I mean WTF? Who decided that was going to be cool or a good idea? 5 year olds? Jesus…
This isn't a "kum-bye-yah" campfire! THIS IS FOOTBALL!
Bill Maher had a New Rule about Crocs that was pretty funny:
New Rule: Americans needs to stop wearing clothes they can hose off.
Toby is in HR, which technically means he works for corporate, so he's really not a part of our family. Also, he's divorced, so he's really not a part of his family.
The place I watched gaems when I lived in VA
was half Steelers on game day. It was annoying as hell.
by NJ Chiefs Fan on Nov 23, 2009 12:11 PM CST up reply actions
yeah but...
It also helps when the Rooneys own a franchise bar in every city. Stealer fans are hardcore. an i know a lot of steeler fans from Pitt but the ones that are not ARE not from pitt your a band wagon fan. I was born in KC Father worked in press box an gramps was in charge of the ticket takers up until 97. I moved to Florida when i was pretty young but im still a Diehard Chiefs fan through ups an downs. I see SOOOOO many new fans of football an guess who they all like THE STEELERS, or cowboys, or giants… and dont forget the Pats. they all get lots of TV. But its kinda a reason i like the Chiefs even more. not to make a lame reference but I have always felt like we are the 300. These major market teams are the Persians. They might have more fans but we are stronger an more toghether fans. WE ARE THE BEST FANS IN SPORTS.
Would ya like a free NANAA!
by Jazzy Megalodon on Nov 23, 2009 12:32 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I think you make a good point about TV.
It’s a lot easier for fans to identify with teams that are on television a lot and the teams we are talking about here (Steelers, Cowboys, Pats, Giants, etc.) are on national TV all the time.
Toby is in HR, which technically means he works for corporate, so he's really not a part of our family. Also, he's divorced, so he's really not a part of his family.
A few more than 300 but I get the Idea! Rec
We Will kick at least 4 Teams Asses in 09. Almost there :)
And Succop will be the Key in two of them. Skins & Raiders! Pittsburgh Sweet!
" Think and talk positive football off the field." Hank Stram
by Steve_Chiefs on Nov 23, 2009 6:05 PM CST up reply actions
Here's your great Pitssburgh fans
"What?!?! I aint no Obama for the weed!"
-Turk McBride
by HIV 2 Elway on Nov 23, 2009 12:29 PM CST up reply actions
What no guilt by association? But its so convenient.
"What?!?! I aint no Obama for the weed!"
-Turk McBride
by HIV 2 Elway on Nov 23, 2009 12:43 PM CST up reply actions
I do it all the time
You are right, it saves me time from having to actually get to know people.
Johnnie Morton: The Man. The Myth. The Legend.
by craig in calgary on Nov 23, 2009 12:44 PM CST up reply actions
I hope you don't read my Mortgage contract :)
We Will kick at least 4 Teams Asses in 09. Almost there :)
And Succop will be the Key in two of them. Skins & Raiders! Pittsburgh Sweet!
" Think and talk positive football off the field." Hank Stram
by Steve_Chiefs on Nov 23, 2009 6:06 PM CST up reply actions
Damn Rec PA
I feel like a homer just cause I root for my hometown team.
We Will kick at least 4 Teams Asses in 09. Almost there :)
And Succop will be the Key in two of them. Skins & Raiders! Pittsburgh Sweet!
" Think and talk positive football off the field." Hank Stram
by Steve_Chiefs on Nov 23, 2009 6:01 PM CST up reply actions
Not really surprising.
Lower attendance for bad seasons + having to play a team with one of the biggest fanbase in the NFL. It’s just a show of more enthusiasm or bandwagoning whatever you want to call it.
I’m just glad Chiefs won. Nothing else matters.
Every time Miller caught the ball,
you could hear the chants of “HEATH!” from the crowd. It was disgusting.
I thought all the Steelers fans made the win that much more fun...
loved the loud tomahawk chop on the ramps after the game.
"What?!?! I aint no Obama for the weed!"
-Turk McBride
Hopefully this helps the team get a little more swagger
Being insulted like that in their own house might have been good for them. I like that they got together and talked about it before the game. Sounds like they are becoming a team and not just a collection of guys.
Please help send my girlfriend to Broadway! Visit http://magonbroadway.blogspot.com/
and Waters was leading the rally.
I like the guy.
by NJ Chiefs Fan on Nov 23, 2009 12:12 PM CST up reply actions
+1
We Will kick at least 4 Teams Asses in 09. Almost there :)
And Succop will be the Key in two of them. Skins & Raiders! Pittsburgh Sweet!
" Think and talk positive football off the field." Hank Stram
by Steve_Chiefs on Nov 23, 2009 6:07 PM CST up reply actions
I'll go to remaining home games
Pioli did what he was asked to do. He got rid of LJ
Haley did what he was supposed to do. Showed the fans this team is going somewhere
The sad thing about the ticket sales to me is we've only really been bad for 3 years.
This was a playoff team during Herm’s first season. And it was communicated to the fanbase that a total re-haul of the organization was underway in Herm’s final season. People jumped off the bandwagon really fast. It’s not like the 80’s Chiefs that were always horrible. There was a 20 year run in KC where the Chiefs were at the very least respectable and often very, very good.
I also hate how Red Sox and Yankee games at the K are overrun with their “fans.”
I don’t live in KC any more but the friends I talk to seem to not realize a new regime took over the team 11 months ago. There’s just a general “we suck” vibe among them.
Toby is in HR, which technically means he works for corporate, so he's really not a part of our family. Also, he's divorced, so he's really not a part of his family.
They caught the Royals fever!!
AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
This isn't a "kum-bye-yah" campfire! THIS IS FOOTBALL!
You're BAD
The Royals were awesome in the late 70’s and most of the 80’s.
Sorta spaced the great KC teams
Football 60’s until the decline began in early 70’s
Baseball second half of 70’s and 80’s
Football 90’s and early ought’s
alas Baseball didn’t bridge this gap.
How Bout Zach!
We Will kick at least 4 Teams Asses in 09. Almost there :)
And Succop will be the Key in two of them. Skins & Raiders! Pittsburgh Sweet!
" Think and talk positive football off the field." Hank Stram
by Steve_Chiefs on Nov 23, 2009 6:12 PM CST up reply actions
It was a reference to the Royals early season ad slogan
prior to the whole H1N1 fiasco…
Zack is a beast, and hopefully the Royals will be good by the time the 2012 ASG comes to the K.
This isn't a "kum-bye-yah" campfire! THIS IS FOOTBALL!
I was at the game and it was depressing at times
There would be as big or bigger cheers when the steelers made a play than the Chiefs.
But it sure was sweet watching the “fans” file out after the catch.
Check out my blog on software development:
http://www.turnleafdesign.com/
by Scaryclouds on Nov 23, 2009 12:31 PM CST via mobile reply actions
But the Steeler Fans were not too bright!!!
The idiots were trying to be louder than the Chief’s fans when the Steelers had the ball!! Big Ben was trying to quiet them on more than one occasion. Those dumbasses are welcome at Arrowhead anytime!
I noticed that to
They’re idiots
Check out my blog on software development:
http://www.turnleafdesign.com/
by Scaryclouds on Nov 23, 2009 1:26 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
+1000
I thought I was the only one that noticed this during the game until Mitch Holtus mentioned it on the radio broadcast after the game.
There were clearly quite a few ignorant Pitt fans and it worked in the Chiefs favor BIGTIME.
That being said, it didn’t look like like there were many more Steelers fans than there were Cowboys fans at the game earlier this year. Those two teams have been historically successful and thus there are quite a few bandwagoners, or fans who rooted for a winning team when they were kids and they never stopped winning.
I heard that too.
Mitch said it was a part of the fact that the local Steeler’s fans never get to see their team live except for days like this, so they get a bit out of control.
The Chiefs fans were loud
Chiefs fans are some if of the most loyal fans in all of sports. But with that said we want a competitive team as well, Yes there are going to be some fair weather fans, every team has them. They are the ones that only show up wearing Chiefs colors when we are wining. But AP and Arrow Head show how loyal Chiefs fans really are. Yes, if the Chiefs had been a better team there would not be as many Steeler fan’s in the stadium there would not have been tickets for them to but after all.
This is what has happened to the Royals, there are loyal fans out there, but why bother putting out the money to see a team that’s expected to lose most of the games they play. Not in many years have the Royals been competitive enough to justify ticket prices, along with parking, and concessions.
What we are seeing at Arrow Head is a team that is trying to compete, a team that wants to win, and Chiefs fans will support that. The more Competitive the Chiefs become the less and less we will see of other teams fans in Our home games. The Place will be filled with Chiefs fans, leaving no place for the other teams fans to come and cheer them.
is it me? or isn't about time the Lamar Hunt trophy belonged to His team?
This Chiefs team is closer to a new expansion team than it is a playoff contender, your expectations should match that.
IF we go 5-11 this year....hell, maybe we can beat the Chargers and go 6-10...
I predict next year will be a HUGE difference. Even a sold out Arrowhead in December. Because with the Draft thats coming up and maybe we sign 1 or 2 good FA…we will have a shot.
by Wrestler189s on Nov 23, 2009 1:40 PM CST up reply actions
I was talking to a friend of mine that used to live in in Pitts.
and she says the reason why so many people get into it and get hyped up is because there is pretty much NOTHING to do there. She says she even sees people wearing Steeler jerseys in Church. Lol. Well, I think that goes likewise for us. We have a huge fan base and even though we dont have toilet paper to swing around, we still make ourselves known and we still go to a heck of alot of games.
All the better for them to wipe the tears from their faces...
AFTER KC TOTALLY HANDED THEIR ASSES TO THEM. BOO-YAH! GO CHIEFS! WE"RE COMING FOR YOU SAN DIEGO.
November 22nd 2009: Chiefs win in OT vs the Steelers 27-24. This could be the turning point for the Chiefs to get back to being respected.
by Red N Gold Beast on Nov 23, 2009 1:59 PM CST reply actions
Come on, selling your ticket to a fellow Chiefs fan is one thing,
but selling your ticket to the opposition, inexcusable.
by BCRavenJHawkfan on Nov 23, 2009 2:09 PM CST reply actions
Saturday night I partied with a group of Steelers fans....
And they were talking a gang of shit to me all night. And all I said was, well we expect you to win but if you don’t I sure hope you’re prepared to hear years worth of shit talking from me..
Needless to say, I blew up their cell phones with some really nice text messages! haha…and my best friend met up with them after the game at their bar….WEARING A CHIEFS SHIRT!!! haha
by HeatherChiefsLvr on Nov 23, 2009 2:41 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
Next home game
I challenge all you chiefs fans to fill up arrowhead for our game with the donkeys. Let’s take back arrowhead and also celebrate the number retirement of one of the greastest players in our franchises history. Let’s rock the house and help will our team to another WIN!!!
by cwebb44 on Nov 23, 2009 8:34 PM CST via mobile reply actions
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