I Effin Love AP!

I am taking a break from bringing my work home with me and for some reason, I just got a wild hair up my ass to proclaim my affection for this website.

As a long-time Chiefs fan living in SE Iowa, I will say that my fandom has never reached the levels that it has since we have been considered "sub-par" in the National Football League.  I don't have any clue why that is, maybe its because I am entering my late 20s, got married, prioritized.  Or, maybe its because former versions of the Chiefs spoiled me, conditioned me to expect a playoff berth year in and year out.  It also could be a combination of both.  Regardless of whatever it is, I am glad.

I have always been a fan, went to games with my neighbor when I was younger, my uncle was a season-ticket holder back in the day, but now as I am balls deep in adulthood, I find myself just as far away from Kansas City, but thanks to ArrowheadPride, I feel soooo much closer.  It truly is great, especially for me, to connect with Chiefs fans, because frankly, I am surrounded by colossal tools.  I honestly am so sick and tired of the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, St. Louis Rams (KYOU FOX 15 didn't get the memo that they suck now), and of course, the coast teams.  When I was in my younger years, I would turn on KCCI out of Des Moines, and Kansas City would be playing...virtually every single game was televised up here.  Now, if Brett Favre plays an AFC team, look out.  I even went as far as to email KCCI to bitch them out for not airing the OAK-KC game early in the year...but I digress.

Up here in my little part of the Hawkeye state, I probably know a handful of Chiefs fans, who stick by the team, love the team, and no matter what happens, we will be fans.  Periods like this in a franchise really let you know who the FANS are.  Back in the 90's, the Chiefs were the most recognizable team up here.  Every guy and his dog had either KC zubas or KC starter jackets.  Now that the team is rebuilding, those fair-weather fans have went on to the next team that is trendy, or winning.  I now pity those people, because when the football universe comes full circle, I will remember those damn posers and what they represented when their loyalty was tested.  Was it easier to be a colts fan recently? Probably.  But when Manning retires, will they still be sporting the blue jerseys?  Some will, but most will not.

Fair-Weather Fans Make Me Puke.

I sport my colors 365, no matter if the record is 2-14 or 13-3, because I love this team.  It's like I told a friend of mine, "I have been a Chiefs fan (fully aware) since I was 7 years old, so for me to root for another team would be a waste of almost 20 years.  I have invested too much time to bail on them now and if you can't take the good with the bad, then you are not a fan".  Why on Earth would I throw away growing up with DT, Neil Smith, Marcus Allen, Vanover, Dale Carter, and the list goes on and on...I spent countless hours reading about the history of the team, how Lamar started this crazy league, how Lenny the Cool went from NFL backup to Super Bowl IV MVP...I mean, Why Quit Now???  This is when it is the most exciting!  I am soooo pumped right now!  We are moving in the right direction and it is scaring people.

I have a friend who is an Oakland Raider fan (I know, in a crazy world that is the premise for a terrible situational comedy)...anyway, before Pioli and Co. came to town he would back up his comments to a certain degree, basically, both teams were terrible and showed no signs of getting better.  However, ever since Pioli came to town, this vibe is infecting the NFL, somehow the Chiefs have a swagger...and it scares the living shit out of our foes.  They are terrified, because they see the Chiefs making strides to build a dominant force that will last a decade.  Honestly, fellow Chiefs fans...Team of the Teens?  Is that how they would word it?  We are building that.

Finally, the reason for this post-I Effin Love AP, because I can actually connect with fans who are like me, who love the team in ups and downs, no matter where they finish, they are number one in our own books.  We hang on every rumor, we analyze every move, and we all know what is best for our beloved team, and for that, ArrowheadPride, I salute you.

By the way, I go to one game a year with my oldest friend who is a Chiefs fan (he was also my best man), I will post the game we go to...I had better see some AP'ers, or I will be pissed.