Top 10 Kansas City Chiefs Stories Of The Year: Monday Night Football

by Joel Thorman on Jan 20, 2011 11:10 AM CST in 2010 Kansas City Chiefs Season

Last week I asked Chris to set up a poll asking for the top 10 Kansas City Chiefs stories of the year, which he did. Except there were only eight options. So I'm picking the 9th and 10th top stories of the year. We'll be doing one or two of these a day until we get through all 10.

Today is No. 10 and that's Monday Night Football.

The Chiefs were awarded the late Monday Night Football game in the season opener and it was really the kicking off point for the 2010 Chiefs success. The crowd was into it, the Chiefs rookies proved those grading the draft were correct when they were given high marks and taking down the San Diego Chargers was a sign of what was to come.

The Chiefs victory that night was among the best games I've ever attended at Arrowhead Stadium. We spent the whole day tracking when the rain might come, and then it came a little early, and it created a classic matchup with the Chargers.

This game, more than any other, gave the Chiefs the momentum they needed to start the season on such a hot streak. If the Chiefs hadn't won this game, their season would be remarkably different (obviously). I can't remember one game (other than the 1998 DT penalty game) that had such an affect on an entire season for the Chiefs.

That one game is really a symbol of how the entire season went: rookies scoring touchdowns, being opportunistic with turnovers and surprising the hell out of everyone by winning.

That's the Chiefs season in a nutshell.

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We should get a couple Monday nighters this year

Hope to make it to one of them, would be my first Monday night at Arrowhead

by Turkeyleg on Jan 20, 2011 11:13 AM CST reply actions

Especially with the schedule we got coming up

1 mnf & 2 Sunday nighters I hope

Tough times never last, but tough people do.

by MadMartigan816 on Jan 20, 2011 11:54 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

This would be alot higher on my list

I went apeshit bananas for a solid 6 hours before/during/after this game.
Opening weekend, first MNF in a long time, manic Arrowhead, beating the chargers, electric plays.

Hell of a game.

Trapped in the past, Craig finds himself leaping from blog to blog, putting things right that once went wrong, and hoping each time that his next leap will be the leap home.

by craig in calgary on Jan 20, 2011 11:18 AM CST reply actions

Yeah I agree it probably should be higher

Pretty awesome day.

Arrowhead Pride
SBNation.com/NFL

by Joel Thorman on Jan 20, 2011 11:21 AM CST up reply actions

Honestly...

I’d put this at Number 2… And here’s why.
1. Opening game of the season.
2. Exciting Draft
3. Opening of New Arrowhead.
4. ITS MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL.
5. Royals played in the same complex, only hours before. And trust me, I was there and I hardly saw any royals jerseys and I sure as hell didn’t see any Oakland A’s fans. It was a… Lake of Red if you will.
6. It was probably the only TRUE sellout the entire year. (every seat filled) I can’t think of any other game where looking around at the stadium, any open seats. even through most of the rain.
7. Return of the Arrowhead Advantage. We finally got our 12th man back. Forcing false starts, unnecessary timeouts, and i’d like to believe was a contributing factor to some Sacks.

by Kevin 'Luke' Robertson on Jan 20, 2011 8:17 PM CST up reply actions

Can someone please explain the DT penalty game thanks

I can’t remember one game (other than the 1998 DT penalty game) that had such an affect on an entire season for the Chiefs.

by ellis82 on Jan 20, 2011 11:23 AM CST reply actions

meltdown

demise ensued thereafter

by skillet on Jan 20, 2011 11:56 AM CST up reply actions

It was pretty unbelievable....

http://chiefsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?t=205110&page=2

The 1998 Kansas City Chiefs season began with high hopes of the team avenging its loss in the 1998 playoffs to the eventual Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos, but instead the Chiefs failed to succeed in the highly competitive AFC West. The team finished with a 7-9 record and 4th place in the AFC West. Head coach Marty Schottenheimer announced his resignation following the season after ten seasons with the team and defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham assumed coaching duties for 1999.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_Kansas_City_Chiefs_season

by cpa913 on Jan 20, 2011 12:08 PM CST up reply actions

2 personal fouls...

I believe 2 face mask penalties and the took Shannon Sharpe’s helmet off and threw it… KC suspended him for a game and another guy got canned. as Skillet said, it was a meltdown.

(I’m pretty sure that’s how it happened… I was only 10 :P)

by Kevin 'Luke' Robertson on Jan 20, 2011 8:43 PM CST up reply actions

oh,

that all happened on the same drive. whoops.

by Kevin 'Luke' Robertson on Jan 20, 2011 8:44 PM CST up reply actions

Primetime--Raining like heck--The last time many in KC and the country saw DT play football before his untimely death.

by NFL season ticket holder on Jan 20, 2011 11:54 PM CST up reply actions

Definitely in my top 5, maybe top 3. That was incredible, I still get chills whenever I watch highlights.

by danmang on Jan 20, 2011 11:32 AM CST via mobile reply actions

It just makes me wonder..

How many primetime games we’ll have next year, especially since we’re facing top tier teams

by Chiefs II TK on Jan 20, 2011 11:35 AM CST reply actions

This should be #1

It was the greatest atmosphere I have ever been to in any sporting event. Ive been to numerous U of M – Ohio State games, Superbowls, and have seen teams win NBA championships. Nothing compared to Arrowhead that night! It was also the game that started the Chiefs bright future.

by ChiTownChiefs on Jan 20, 2011 11:40 AM CST reply actions

This could definitely have been in the top 3

Wish I was at Arrowhead that night but I was at the next best place…..A Charger bar in San Diego jumping up and down screaming on DMC’s return.

The sterner the discipline, the greater the devotion.

by BJ Kissel on Jan 20, 2011 11:41 AM CST reply actions

Monday night this year was one of my most memorable moments @ Arrowhead, great atmosphere and with family…….but the DT penalty game, a Monday night game I also attended is where Shannon Sharpe toyed with DT all game. DT ejected …he lost it. Same night Bubby Brister scored on a QB keeper around end for 40 or 50 yards. The season down hill after that.

by KEEP THE FAITH on Jan 20, 2011 11:59 AM CST reply actions

If I remember right, this would be the referenced DT Penalty game.

Not DT’s finest moment, but I know I’d take a shot at swinging Shannon Sharpe around by his face mask if I got the chance. I can’t stand that guy.

by Archyrr on Jan 20, 2011 1:15 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs

Definitely in my top 3, fantastic way to start off a new season

what a great way to knock of the Chargers. That was my second Chiefs game ever at Arrowhead (first being 09 against PIT, only home win of 09) and it was something I’ll never forget

Texas Rangers- 2010 AL Champs!

by TigerPride on Jan 20, 2011 1:25 PM CST reply actions

Get to more home games.

You got a good streak going.

by Helmets on Jan 20, 2011 1:47 PM CST up reply actions

I wish DT would have pulled Sharpe’s head off….then we would have to listen to him wax on about how great he is on the CBS Pre-Game Show….

by Chris Olson on Jan 20, 2011 2:06 PM CST reply actions

Is that what he was saying?

I couldn’t understand him.

The views expressed by craig in calgary do not necessarily represent the views of all Canadians.

by saskwatch on Jan 20, 2011 3:15 PM CST up reply actions

This game was my favorite by far...

i ’d been talkin sooo much shit,….had been preaching about McCluster and Charles for weeks. Had a group of friends over for the game, and they jumped all over the Chargers ass quick…lol. I even woke up happy to go to work..

by Sea of RED on Jan 20, 2011 4:48 PM CST reply actions