Rashee Rice draws hundreds to KC-area barbecue joint for event: ‘Everybody eating’
The Kansas City Chiefs may be on a bye week, but when Joe Tulipana, owner of Blind Box BBQ, pulled into the parking lot of his Shawnee location early Thursday morning for his event with Rashee Rice, Chiefs fans were already lining up.
Rice, in collaboration with Blind Box BBQ and his Rashee Rice Legacy Foundation, hosted a free “Meat & Greet” event that drew more than one thousand fans to the barbecue joint at 13214 W 62nd Terrace.
“It caught me completely by surprise,” Tulipana said. “I pulled in right around 7:30 a.m. I looked down and there were people setting up shop.” Tulipana said.
“Tailgate tents, chairs, the whole nine yards. That really set the tone for the rest of the day.”
It wasn’t all about football Thursday. It was about community, food and exemplifying the Chiefs’ newest mantra, “Everybody Gotta Eat,” Rice said.
The “Meat & Greet” was a free event and open to the public. Fans could meet the Super Bowl-winning wide receiver and get up to two items signed by the player.
Tulipana was all smiles as he saw the hundreds of fans fill his business and flood the parking lot for the event, rocking Rice’s No. 4 blinged-out chain and jersey. The Blind Box location in Shawnee just celebrated its 10th anniversary in August, and the restaurant also has a location at the Legends in KCK.
On Thursday, fans got to snap photos and say hi to Rice, and brought out items to be signed like hand-drawn photos of Rice, helmets, replica Lombardi trophies and even electronics like a rice cooker.
The barbecue joint’s staff passed out free samples to the large crowd who were lined up through the end of the parking lot, several businesses down. Food included burnt ends, mac and cheese, potato salad and ribs. A popular item was the carrot cake cupcakes, a sweet treat that fans said they really enjoyed.
“It’s actually my nana’s (recipe),” Tulipana said.
‘Everybody’s Gotta Eat’
So, why’d Rice choose Blind Box for the event? Tulipana said he reached out to the Chiefs receiver when he was drafted by KC, and the two have been building a relationship ever since.
“You pair Kansas City BBQ with the Kansas City Chiefs, that’s a winning combination right there. … I can’t say enough good things about [Rice],” he said.
You’ve probably already heard about #EGE, short for “Everybody Gotta Eat.” It’s in Rashee Rice’s bio on Instagram, and it’s a mantra that Chiefs players have adopted this season. It’s most popular amongst the wide receiver core — tweeted out by Rice just days before Patrick Mahomes’ viral “EGE” post on X that fans rallied behind.
Rice, Tulipana and their teams including Square Peg Marketing and Branding wanted to bring that saying to life on Thursday as they fed hundreds of fans with samples of the food and a full buffet for VIP guests that included influencers, media, close family and more.
While many know what the saying means on the field, Rice shared how it applies to life and community.
“Just by everybody being able to grow,” Rice said.
“Not necessarily at the same pace, but everybody’s, you know, moving at their own pace so as long as they’re growing day by day taking a step forward then everybody’s growing. Everybody eating.”
This event benefited The Rashee Rice Legacy Foundation, a nonprofit which has previously given out scholarships to high school players.
“Change in the future,” Rice said when asked what he wanted his foundation to represent.
“He’s one heck of a football player, but he’s a great guy too and we couldn’t be happier,” Tulipana said.
Also at the event was Q Ambition, the Missouri-based fashion designer who designed the custom jacket Rice wore ahead of Chiefs’ week 8 matchup and has also designed pieces like Patrick Mahomes’ Kansas City Current jacket he wore earlier this year.
“He’s a good guy, very humble, great kid,” said Q, who’s the founder of GOLDBAR Limited. “He’s doing a lot of great things in the city … I’m really happy for him … he just wants to redeem himself and we’re here for him to support him.”
Blind Box BBQ is currently offering the “HE4VYWEIGHT Plate,” which is a nod to Rice’s jersey and also benefits Rice’s foundation. The plate consists of his favorite foods, including burnt ends, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, corn bread muffin with honey butter, spare ribs and collard greens.
This story was originally published November 7, 2025 at 2:25 PM.
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