For forty years now, Chiefs fans of all stripes have been vigilantly supportive of their team.  Why do they do it?  It certainly isn't because the Chiefs win playoff games.  Three wins in 14 appearances over forty years since the 1970 Super Bowl?  An argument that this kind of record has garnered more fans or kept the ones we have over that time simply cannot be made.  It must, then, be about more than the record of wins and losses.  It must be more personal.  I think it's nostalgic. 

It's not only about how the team performs. Sure the fans want wins, but what would make you go to games for forty years without the taste of success that other teams have had? The answer lies in Chiefs fans hearts.  It's personal.  I call it faith.  Faith in the ideal of the Kansas City Chiefs. 

via www.tvcrazy.net

The Chiefs are the perpetual underdogs in the NFL.  They have a small market compared to most of the other franchises.  The proverbial David to the Philistine Goliath.  Goliath taunted the Isrealite army for 40 days before David convinced his King to let him go take on the bully.  That last Super Bowl has been taunting the Chiefs for 40 years.  I think it's about time to put an end to that conflict. 

Because of this underdog status, when they do put together a winning effort it feels to the fans as if they have overcome much more than just becoming a good football team.  It affirms the fans faith in their team and justifies their fan hood.  It makes them feel good.  In some ways the lack of winning big games probably does increase the fan base.  The desire to be a part of overcoming long odds lures us into supporting the underdog.  The Chiefs are set up to be that perennial underdog. 

The Chiefs represent the wholesome, blue collar, word-a-day masses that built this country.  The 'little' guy.  When the little guy breaks off a piece for himself (especially at the expense of the 'big' guy), we identify.  We feel good.  That is why the fans keep coming back.  When the Chiefs overcome long odds, it is uplifting to the heart and the spirit.

What I find most interesting is that many fans here think that what I write questions their fan hood.  I don't question anyones fanhood.  I merely try to be the yin to the 'realist' yang.  I try to do it with humor most of the time and sometimes I get a big FAIL.  To all the realists here at AP (you know who you are):  believe it or not, I know that everyone of you have the faith I speak about in our Chiefs.  If you didn't, you certainly wouldn't take the time to respond as violently to my posts as you do when you think I am throwing rocks at your opinion.  The only difference between us is that I want to focus on the positives going in, while you like to focus on the obstacles.  It's ok.  It's what makes AP the best NFL blog in the nation.

So here we are, on the verge of becoming a Dynasty once again.  These Chiefs are very different from any group of Chiefs past.  They are much more like that Super Bowl winning sqaud that Hank Stram commanded back in the day, than you might think.  They also have a few things in common with that 2001 Patriot team.  This is a team of role playing, adversity overcoming, believe in themselves Chiefs that won't quit.  I don't think they will quit after today either.  Chiefs 27-Ravens 13.  Why stop with a wild card win?  Playing the Steelers next week isn't so scary.  We've already beaten them, and that was with last years team. 

Chiefs WIN.  Chiefs WILL.  BELIEVE.