Super Bowl letters: Hey KC, this Californian wants you to knock out the 40 Whiners
About time
As we all know, Chiefs football is more than just wins and losses. More than anything, it is about emotions and memories.
It is about Hank Stram saying, ”Just keep matriculatin’ the ball down the field, boys.” It is about Tony G dunking the pigskin over the crossbar after catching a touchdown pass. It is about Susie riding out of the tunnel atop Warpaint to celebrate a score. It’s 80,000 fans at Arrowhead Stadium shouting “Chieeeeeeefs” for the last word of our national anthem. It’s about being left for dead, down 24-0, and rallying to win 51-31.
It’s about tears of happiness in Chiefs Kingdom when our boys finally put to rest a 50-year drought. And yes — it is about a beloved, humble, gentle giant called Big Red who has led us to this brink of glory.
It is Big Red’s time, although I suspect he would say it is our time. Let’s do this thing.
- Charles Merry Christmas Jr., Blue Springs
This one counts
There is Pi Day on 3/14, and Binary Day on 11/11. Expanding these to include more digits, we could also note the Pi Days of 3/14/16 and 3/14/1592, and the original Binary Day, 11/11/1111 (before anyone knew about binary).
Sunday, we have a trifecta in one day: Groundhog Day, a nice palindrome date of 02022020 and the Chiefs winning the Super Bowl after 50 years. We really couldn’t ask for much more.
- Carol L. Neill, Overland Park
Make memories
Fifty years ago, I was 12 years old. I sat in the living room with my dad and watched the Chiefs’ Super Bowl win. Dad rarely showed any emotion. He grew up in the Depression and served in the Army in World War II. I think those experiences caused him to always keep feelings to himself.
But when Otis Taylor scored the touchdown that sealed the game, Dad jumped from his chair. We hugged each other and shouted as loud as we could. I will never forget that moment.
When the Chiefs win the Super Bowl again this year, I hope other young boys and girls will hug their dads and shout with joy. It is a feeling you will never forget.
- Brian Fowler, Kansas City
Time to party
My family and I have been Chiefs fans since we moved to Kansas City in 1968. During Joe Montana’s tenure, we were so optimistic we would reach the Super Bowl I gave my nephew Eric a “Super Bowl pack” to be used at the party he would have that year. Well, that didn’t happen.
Recently, Eric sent me a picture of that gift pack on Facebook. He said he would be breaking it out Sunday. Those napkins, plates and other items (all Hallmark, of course) are almost 30 years old but in great shape. Eric, who lives in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, never gave up on the Chiefs.
Enjoy your party, Eric, from your Aunt Rhonda.
- Rhonda Maloney, Kansas City
Western fans
Living in the San Francisco Bay Area, I have to tell your readers that Scott Ostler’s column deriding Kansas City and its sports fans is typical of San Franciscans. (Jan. 24, 1B, “San Francisco writer trashes Kansas City”) Because many of them are insecure, they feel the need to belittle anything and everything outside the city. It is rather pathetic.
Please know that many here in the Bay Area — including all the Raiders fans I know — are rooting for the Chiefs to rout the 40 Whiners, as we like to call them. Go Chiefs!
- Daniel Silva, San Leandro, California
Pretty sick
I had the pleasure of sitting near Bobby Bell on a flight last summer. During boarding, a young boy walked by us, looking for a seat. As the boy passed, Bell showed him his ring from Super Bowl IV. “Man, that’s sick!” the boy said.
Imagine our laughter as Bobby screwed up his face and muttered to those of us within earshot, “Sick? What’s sick about this ring? I worked hard for this ring.” We then explained to the Pro Football Hall of Famer that “sick” in today’s vernacular means the same as “awesome” or “cool.” I think he felt a little better after that.
Let’s hope our current Chiefs can earn some “sick” rings Sunday.
- Kathy Kline, Overland Park
Repeat showing
Congratulations to the Kansas City Chiefs’ players, staff and many fans. Among my happiest memories as a former broadcaster are the images I recall working for Channel 4 and WDAF radio covering the team’s triumphant return from New Orleans to Kansas City after winning the Super Bowl in January 1970.
May you enjoy another triumphant return — this time from Miami.
- Donn Pearlman, Las Vegas, Nevada