Chiefs vs. Eagles in NOLA - and inside a KC home divided. Whose side is the baby on? | Opinion
At just five months old, Agnes McDermott is already at a crossroads in her young life. Her mother, Mady, is a Kansas City Chiefs fan and her father, Brian, comes from a family extremely partial to the Philadelphia Eagles.
In other words, Brian’s family live and breathe Eagles football while Mady’s family root for the Chiefs to win each game.
And therein lies the dilemma for Baby Agnes: Which team will she claim as her favorite down the road? Maybe the winner of this year’s Super Bowl Sunday in New Orleans will earn her allegiance once she’s older.
Forget a house divided. Agnes’ entire family on both sides are at odds.
At least Agnes will be dressed appropriately for the occasion. For the big game, she’ll sport a cute little onesie with the Chiefs and Eagles logos on it. The garment is inscribed with the words “Dad” and “Mom” above each logo, and “I’m the tiebreaker” on bottom.
When I spoke with Brian and Mady, neither of them had planned to wager on the game. But then Brian offered: “Whoever loses should wear the other’s team gear for a year.”
Game on.
Future Eagles or Chiefs fan?
But what about Agnes? Which team will she claim once she gets older?
Brian said he has a plan to bring Agnes fully into the Eagles’ nest.
“A lot of Sundays watching Eagles games with dad,” he said.
Mady said she is well aware of the difficulties that lie ahead.
“I have my work cut out for me,” she said. “His family are die-hard Eagles’ fans.”
Mady, 32, said she has been a Chiefs’ fan since her family moved to Leavenworth, Kansas, when she was 11. Mady’s parents were in the military and she is currently in the Army Reserve. She said she met Brian in 2020 while stationed in Germany. They were married five months before the Chiefs defeated the Eagles in 2023’s Super Bowl in Glendale, Arizona.
Brian is an active member of the Army. The family is stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state.
Brian’s birthday is on Super Bowl Sunday, when he’ll be 32. He’s a native of Warrington Township, Pennsylvania, a suburb about 30 minutes outside of Philadelphia. He said he was born and raised in Philly until he was 4. Brian’s family are Eagles fans to the core.
“This is a lifelong family affair,” he said.
Bragging rights on the line
Being married into a Chiefs family was tough enough, Brian said. But losing a Super Bowl game to his wife’s favorite team was and is a humbling experience, he said.
“I have to swallow my pride,” Brian said.
Mady may have bragging rights now but with Sunday on the horizon, Brian is looking for payback. He wants nothing more than a Philadelphia win.
“It’s going to be a great game,” he said.
Grandmothers’ smack talk
The good-natured back-and-forth doesn’t end with Agnes’ parents — her paternal and maternal grandmothers are both in on the pregame smack talk too.
Mady’s mother, Lori Wilcox of Leavenworth, said she will go to great lengths to make sure Agnes is a Chiefs fan.
“I’m going to dress her in Chiefs gear,” Wilcox said.
Brian’s mother, Theresa McDermott went even further.
“Aggie will be raised as an Eagles fan just like her dad,” she said. “In our family, Sundays are sacred — not just for rest, but for faith, family and football. It’s a day spent gathered around the TV, decked out in Eagles green, feasting on Philly cheesesteaks, soft pretzels, wings and our favorite dips and desserts. As big foodies, we never watch a game without bringing the best eats to the table.”
McDermott added that although they enjoy the friendly banter back and forth with Mady’s family, a line has been drawn between the two teams.
“No matter the rivalry, one thing is certain — Philly fans are the best,” she said.
The back and forth is all in good fun, Wilcox said. She’s even reached out to the Chiefs and tight end Travis Kelce with a request: She wants Agnes to have the split jacket Donna Kelce wore in 2023 when the teams played in Arizona. Travis’ brother, Jason, played for the Eagles in that game.
“I wrote to the Chiefs and Travis Kelce and I asked him if Agnes could have his mom’s divided coat when she gets older,” Wilcox said.
No matter who comes out on top on Sunday, in the end, Baby Agnes will be the real winner.
This story was originally published February 5, 2025 at 5:10 AM.
