Down about Chiefs’ 38-0 loss to Broncos? This Chief (and KC native) will cheer you up | Opinion
Still down about the Kansas City Chiefs’ 38-0 loss to the hated donkeys — I mean Broncos? No worries. I may have the perfect antidote to lift your spirits.
Felix Anudike-Uzomah, a second-year defensive end, recently spent time at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. In a video provided by the hospital, Anudike-Uzomah is shown mingling with staff, being interviewed by a patient, hobnobbing with others and being talked into dancing by yet another.
Side note: Anudike-Uzomah’s four-yard tackle for loss in the third quarter on Broncos’ running back Jaleel McLaughlin was impressive. The play was one of the team’s rare highlights in the Week 18 shutout loss Sunday in Denver. Because the Chiefs are on a bye week, he was not available to comment for this column.
During the visit to Children’s Mercy, Anudike-Uzomah hung out in a playroom, handed out bracelets, participated in arts and crafts with patients and visited others in their rooms, according to hospital staff. And of course, there were plenty of autographs given and many photos taken.
In the footage I watched, Anudike-Uzomah, a first-round draft pick by the Chiefs in 2023, effortlessly interacted with each and every young person he came in contact with.
“How ya doing?” Anudike-Uzomah asked as he walked into a playroom at the hospital. Anudike-Uzomah flashed a radiant smile that I could only imagine lit up that room. Within seconds, the room was full of giggles only a personable player from the hometown team could elicit.
He then turned his attention to a couple of patients seated at a table with art supplies.
“Whatcha drawing?” Anudike-Uzomah said as he sat down to join them. From there, the fun was just beginning.
Later, Anudike-Uzomah performed a dance routine for a TikTok video — the girl who coaxed Anudike-Uzomah into dancing on camera took a minute to warm up to the player from Kansas State. But once she did, the pair seemed to hit it off.
Because of privacy laws, Children’s Mercy staff were unavailable to provide patient names, which when dealing with minors is understandable.
As the girl walked Anudike-Uzomah through the proper choreography for the video, there was no indication this was a menacing pro football player who stands 6 feet, 4 inches tall and weighs 255 pounds.
“I don’t know if I can do this, I ain’t gonna lie,” Anudike-Uzomah said.
“It’s only one move,” the girl said.
Later, the two are shown doing a number I could only describe as dabbing — a head-snapping move made popular by former NFL quarterback Cam Newton. Apparently, Anudike-Uzomah threw his head into his arm as if sneezing or coughing the correct way, according to the girl’s reaction
“OK, OK,” she said. “I’m posting that.”
I looked all over TikTok for that video but could not find it. Anudike-Uzomah ended their time together with a handshake normally reserved for old friends.
“I don’t know if I’ll get a million views like Taylor (Swift),” Anudike-Uzomah said.
Perhaps my favorite part of the visit was an impromptu interview conducted by one of the hospital’s patients. During the exchange, a young man asked Anudike-Uzomah what inspired him to become a football player.
“Really, my brother,” Anudike-Uzomah said. “He was a big football fan.”
When asked what his favorite part of the game was, Anudike-Uzomah said: “Probably kickoff. That is when everything gets riled up and emotions are high.”
Because the Chiefs are the AFC’s No. 1 seed, they will not play again until the weekend after this one. After the Wild Card round, the home team will soon begin its quest for a third consecutive Super Bowl championship at Arrowhead Stadium.
But before the postseason begins, I wanted to take a moment to highlight the community involvement of Anudike-Uzomah, one of the Chiefs’ youngest players.
My hope is that this inspiring story helps fans forget all about the meaningless debacle in Denver.
This story was originally published January 7, 2025 at 10:06 AM.
