FanPost

Are You That Guy?

So lets get this out of the way right up front. Yesterday when Matt Cassel got hurt, some people cheered. It wasn't everyone by a long shot. But it did happen. It wasn't the right thing to do. It wasn't the classy thing to do. And it wasn't something that most people are proud of. Anyone who claims it didn't happen, wasn't there. And then after the game, Eric Winston used his right to freedom of speech to verbally chastise the entire fanbase for it. That's fine. It was hyperbole. An exaggeration. But he was entitled to do it. He apparently felt like the Chiefs fans needed his scolding. But here's the thing Eric: We didn't need your help.

You see, Chiefs fans already had it under control. In sections all around the stadium, the few who cheered were shouted down by the many who knew it was inappropriate. By the time Matt was able to walk off the field, he received a standing ovation. The same ovation we give every injured Chiefs as they're being helped off the field. The same ovation guys like Trent Green and Len Dawson have received. He didn't get that ovation because we think he's good at playing football. He got that ovation because he's one of ours and he was hurting. He got his moment of unconditional love.

It's a shame you couldn't be bothered to mention that part of the story. But, it's not surprising. We're used to players crying victim. You were the victim while dividing up that 9 billion dollar pie with the owners. You were the victim when the league dared to punish some players for their part in a scheme to pay for injuring opponents. You were the victim when players chose to use replacement refs as an excuse to try getting away with illegal hits. Woe is you.

It's ok. I'm not mad at you. You wanted to have Matt's back, so you lashed out at us. No problem. I totally get it. Your team is developing an us against the world mentality. It's what your management has clearly wanted all along. They have wanted fans to be put in their place since they got here. They fired anyone who had a relationship with the fans. They deprioritised community and charity events. They pushed away the media, the Red Coaters and anyone else who might have a window into your house and dare to speak about what they saw. The fans place, in their eyes, is to buy the tickets and merchandise and cheer for the winner they bless us with.

It wasn't always this way. There was a time when we all thought we were in this together. Fans and Players. Coaches and Owners. But those days are gone and I don't lament them. I accept my new role in this relationship and I am living up to my part of the bargain. It's about time you started living up to yours. When some fans got out of line on Sunday, we checked their behavior. Whether you like it or not, we had your back. Now, the inconvenient truth you face is that you haven't had ours. You haven't delivered on your part of the deal.

We pay the money, we show up to the games, we're loud. You told us in your rant that you and your teammates are working your butts off. I don't buy it. Try to tell me with a straight face that what we saw in Buffalo was your best effort. Tell me about how the hurricane of turnovers in the San Diego game is the expected result of all that hard work. I call bullshit. You have an avalanche of high draft picks on defense and yet you're 1-4. You have the best RB in football and yet you are 1-4. You have a dominant receiver and a bevy of other offensive weapons and yet you are 1-4. You have a young and very promising offensive line and yet you are 1-4. You have a great punter and a reliable kicker and yet you are 1-4.

You have been physically and mentally dominated in more than half the games you have played so far. If this is the result of all that hard work you want to tell us about, I suggest you work harder. Put up or shut up. I have an idea. How about you show the same emotion that lead to your rant during the actual games or maybe during the week in the locker room. I have been wondering who the leaders are on this team or if any even existed. Maybe it's you. Maybe you can use that articulate side you showed yesterday to motivate your teammates to have a pulse on Sundays.

I promise that if you do, the boos will stop. The cheering of injuries will stop. We'll ignore the fact that your coach is so conservative you can almost see his a-hole puckering up on the sidelines when he has to make a decision. We'll forget that your GM is kind of an obsessive jackass. Everything will be fine. Just do your part for a change. It shouldn't be too much to ask. This team needs a leader.

Are You That Guy?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Arrowhead Pride's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Arrowhead Pride writers or editors.