We can still call them the Chiefs, but let’s make it an unquestionable honor

An embarrassment

I live in Florida six months of the year. Every year during football season, I have worn my Chiefs T-shirt with pride. Not anymore, and it has nothing to do with the players. I do not want to be associated with the redneck Chiefs fans at last week’s game.

Their ignorant, intolerant behavior has given Kansas City a bad name

- Kay VanHasateren, Fort Pierce, Florida

Burning up

In light of the controversies in our culture war on racial inquiries and Native American references as mascots, I have a Hail Mary pass of an idea I’d like to pitch to the Chiefs’ NFL franchise.

Keep the Chiefs name, but change the logo and reference to the chiefs of our fire departments. Everybody loves firefighters. This thematic switch could honor the brave men and women who lead fire departments and move the focus away from Native Americans.

Keep the red uniform color, because firefighters are associated with red. The team could sell plastic axes, and fans could do the fireman chop instead of the tomahawk chop. Instead of headdresses, the team could sell plastic firefighter helmets. Kids would love them.

The Chiefs could even use real fire engines and blast the sirens and horns whenever the team scores. Or sell air horns to the fans.

Donate a portion of sales proceeds to Kansas City-area fire departments. They might quality for a tax deduction — win-win.

You can see the Star headlines now: “The Chiefs are so hot this season, they’re burning up the stadium.”

The team’s marketing department would have a field day.

- Vincenzo S. Corazza, Bethel, Alaska

This story was originally published September 15, 2020 at 5:00 AM.