Meet the United States of Chiefs fans, followers of the team from every U.S. state
They hail from cities with names like Pelahatchie, Waianae and New Canaan.
In Arizona, Florida, Texas and even the nation’s capital, they’ve been known to gather in groups of more than a hundred.
Some live in areas where neighbors wear enemy colors. Some are in high school, others are retirees.
You would expect to see them In Missouri and Kansas, because they are Chiefs fans, but as we found out, Chiefs Kingdom is represented in all 50 states.
The Star put out the word on social media, asking fans from across the nation to share their experiences of following the Chiefs from afar. Here are their stories.
ALABAMA
Erin Lanigan, Huntsville
“I travel a lot for work, so between that and living in the South, I’ve come to specialize in attending away games and Chiefs bars. We attended one of the first preseason games at the new Mercedes Benz stadium in Atlanta a few years ago, and a couple months ago my whole family came to visit for a heartbreaker in Nashville. Earlier this season I got harassed by some drunk Lions fans (hilarious story) at the heart-stopping nail-biter in Detroit, and just a few weeks ago I watched the Chiefs beat the Patriots from Stan’s Bar-B-Q (‘Arrowhead West’) in Issaquah, Washington. I’d love to share some of my experiences with finding Chiefs fans wherever I go!”
Others: Jim and Tracy Hand; Jared Quijas, Mobile.
ALASKA
Gregory White, Anchorage
“I was born and raised in North Kansas City. Mom and Dad had season tickets when the Chiefs played at Municipal Stadium. My brother and I were part of the Huddle Club, if you remember what that is. We were seated off in the corner of an end zone there in Municipal Stadium. I joined the Air Force in 1980 and traveled the world during my 27 years in the Air Force. When I retired I moved to Anchorage, Alaska in 2007. There are several hundred Chiefs fans here in Anchorage. They seem to be pretty popular up here. I have DirecTV service where I live here in the city so I have NFL Sunday Ticket and am able to watch every game. I know others go to bars around the city to watch the Chiefs games every Sunday.”
ARIZONA
Hotchy Kiene, Scottsdale
“I grew up in KC. I moved to Arizona in 94 to go to Arizona State and stuck around. I run the Chiefs fan group here in Arizona. We have five bars statewide that we call ‘official,’ (and) have 1,200 or so people in our Facebook group AZ Chiefs Kingdom. We get about 250-300 people out to PubRock in Scottsdale. It is always standing-room only.”
Others: Heidi Lee, Chandler; Shelby Langtry, Scottsdale; Kathy Wilson, Apache Junction; Kristine Kwant, Surprise; Dan Corredor, Phoenix; Maci Bottachiari, Florence; Marilyn Bertrand, Casa Grande.
ARKANSAS
Kim Krummel, Lowell
“(I) grew up in KC with the KC Chiefs. Even had my son during a famous ‘Monday Night Football’ game (Oct 17, 1997 with Joe Montana) the next morning. Watched the game on TV in labor at a party and stayed during overtime.”
CALIFORNIA
Marc Goldberg, Napa
“I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1987 and remained a hardcore Chiefs fan. Before NFL Sunday Ticket, I had to beg and bribe bartenders to show the Chiefs games in Raiders country. Then Montana was traded to KC and it was easier to see the Chiefs, but the Ticket came out about that time so I watched most games from home. I also attended games at the Oakland Coliseum when the Chiefs would play the Raiders. The Chiefs’ ‘Monday Night Football’ game in 1997 when Grbac hit Rison in the waning seconds was very memorable. The crowd went from extremely loud to dead silence except for this excited Chiefs fan jumping up and yelling. I slowly turned around to see thousands of angry faces staring back at me. I felt like I was part of a Southwest ‘Wanna Get Away’ commercial.”
Others: Brad Burgess, Sacramento; Teresa and Paul Morris; Lee Ann Lohrenz, Santa Ana; Marci Mojica; Katie LeLaet, West Hills; Melissa Anthony, Sacramento; Toni (Sgaraglino) Farina, Los Angeles.
COLORADO
Brian Wells, Estes Park
“Moved from Olathe to Denver prior to the 1987 season, just as the Broncos (Donkeys) were starting their Super Bowl appearances with Elway. My parents turned into Bronco fans but I remained a steadfast Chiefs (and Royals) fan. My best friend while living here is a Raiders fan (mostly due to his dislike for the Broncos and their fans) because we were outnumbered significantly. I wore the Red and Gold despite all the taunting and relished the MNF game where Montana led the comeback against Elway! Finally, the Bronco fans were quiet! The days of pre-Internet made it difficult to follow the Chiefs but an Aunt in Independence mailed Star articles and an annual schedule.”
Others: Kyle Finley and Carolyn Welter, Denver; Brad Morgan, Wellington.
CONNECTICUT
Wade Eyerly, New Canaan
“I’m the oldest of 8, and we have a family text chain each week during the game that can go a hundred texts long. I’m in Connecticut, with my three kids who all know that Santa wears Chiefs colors because he’s a fan. I grew up in Blue Springs and Independence. Graduated from Raytown. We could hear the Chiefs score from the dinner table. There was a 7-second delay between when the crowd roared and when the ‘big play’ would show on our TV.
“I have a cadre of other Chiefs fans in my town. The dad of a child who plays YMCA basketball with my son and who rocks a Chiefs shirt to tryouts. David Neeleman (JetBlue founder) who loves Alex Smith and Andy Reid, so he converted. Scott Stallings, who is friends with Coach Reid ... and his five kids are Chiefs fans, too. So, there are a few of us.
“But the day after Dee Ford lines up offsides last year our elementary school sent an email saying, ‘Congrats to the Patriots. Tell your kids they can wear their Pats gear to school on Monday.’ I went around the house with steam coming out of my ears, muttering, ‘No, no, no, no, no ...’ and looking for red/gold for my kids to wear. We didn’t have enough. So, they all got new gear that week. And I have sent them to school in Chiefs colors all week.”
DELAWARE
Cean Carter, Dover
“I was an Air Force brat. I was actually living in Kansas when I was 10 and the Royals won the World Series in ‘85. Baseball was my first love and I was a BIG Bo Jackson fan. He actually is what got me into football. However, he was a Raider and that was my team ... until he got hurt, then I became a Chief fan lol. There are not too many Chief fans here where I live ... but in the heart of Philly (about an hour north of me) there is a place called Big Charlie’s Saloon. It’s a KC Chief-themed bar! I haven’t been yet, but I so want to go one day. I live mainly in Eaqles/Ravens area. There’s always a lot of back and forth banter with Baltimore fans ... but it’s all in good fun.”
FLORIDA
Dana Roseberry, Cape Coral
“I founded the Kansas City Chiefs Fan Club of Southwest Florida 26 years ago. We now have almost 400 names in our database. A typical game-watch brings in around 75-100 Chiefs fans. We have met at Overtime Pizzeria and Sports Pub in Cape Coral, Florida in 2018 and 2019, and hope to meet for the games there in 2020. Our fan club covers all of Southwest Florida, from Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda, to Fort Myers and south to Naples, Florida. We also do ‘road trips’ when the Chiefs are in Florida. In 2020, the Chiefs will be in both Miami and Tampa, so I believe we will have a large group travel to both of those games. Both Tampa and Miami are only a 2 1/2 hour drive from Cape Coral. I moved to Cape Coral from the Kansas City area 29 years ago. My family had four Chiefs season tickets for 35+ years, even after we moved to Florida.”
Others: Cory O’Donnell, Cape Coral; Jenn Sternecker; Mary Carpenter, Vero Beach; Rhonda Matthews, Lakeland; Andrea Mathieu, Coconut Creek; James Ellis, Vero Beach.
GEORGIA
Mike Infante, Lawrenceville
“I’m 61, was born and raised in KC and have been a Chiefs fan as long as I remember. The Super Bowl glory days were great but they’re a distant memory now. Since graduating from Mizzou I’ve lived in Pennsylvania, Texas, Tennessee, Ohio and finally Georgia where I am today ... and I’ve waved the Chiefs flag in every location!”
Others: Sandra Izaguirre; Teresa Daubard, Atlanta; Jeff Estes, Atlanta; Daniel Bysinger, Dallas; Leslie Truman, Atlanta; Mike Infante, Lawrenceville; Andrea Penrod, Savannah; Rob Horton, Buford; Nicole Griep, Atlanta; Susie Eisenhauer and Lee Roberson; Robert Stigler, Atlanta.
HAWAII
Ashlee Puahi-Reyes
“My family and I rep the Chiefs from Waianae, Oahu. That’s the farthest point to the west of the states that you could go. My father has been a Chiefs fan since he was a little boy and now we are apart of a group in Hawaii called ‘Chiefs Kingdom Hawaii chapter. We have weekly meetups to watch the games and during the holidays we all get together to donate toys and food to the people in need. My dad’s name is Kaleialoha Puahi, also known as ‘Big Chief.’”
Others: John Walje IV; Jeff Kagihara; Tim Hall, Honolulu; Phillip and Kelly Lamborn, Aiea; Andrea and Joshua Anakalia; Cherene Akana.
IDAHO
Scott Higgins, Coeur d’ Alene
“I moved here from southeast Kansas three years ago for work. Been a Chiefs Fan since as far back as I can remember being born in 1966 and until this move, a lifelong SEK resident. Chiefs have always been MY team and I’m as loyal as any. Much like the Royals too. I am super excited for this team the way it’s built right now. I believe it is OUR Time. At times here it seems like I’m a minority fan with most people here being fans of the Seahawks followed closely by the Raiders but there are a lot of different small groups representing other distant teams as well. Seems like anytime I go to a sports bar to watch a game there are a few KC fans there and I run across at least one every time I’m somewhere shopping.”
Others: Drew Nash, Twin Falls.
ILLINOIS
Andy Brown, Washington
“I live in a town of about 15,000 people just outside Peoria. There aren’t a lot of Chiefs fans here in Bears country. (There are also a surprising number of Packers fans here, too.) But when we discover each other, we feel an instant bond of brotherhood. My wife’s friend is married to a guy named Jeff who I met for the first time and saw his Chiefs flag outside his house. Upon this discovery, we became buddies and instantly started trading childhood memories of watching our beloved Chiefs. I talked about the seven-sack game Derrick Thomas had against Dave Krieg and the Seahawks. He talked about the Monday Night showdown between Montana and Elway. We had met only moments earlier, but I already felt more connected to him than most of my wife’s friends’ husbands.”
Others: Becca Gregory, Normal; Alex VanSchoyck, Robinson; Chase Trout, Chicago; Paul Fregeau, Decatur; Susan Blystone; Natalie Gurin, Chicago.
INDIANA
Josh Hann, Indianapolis
“I was born in Southwest Iowa, a diehard Chiefs fan. In 1991 my family moved to Indianapolis. I have lived among the Blue for 29 years now and have always spread the good word of the Chiefs Kingdom. It wasn’t always the easiest of times with you more than likely knowing the history between these two teams, especially since 1991. ... There have been seven games in Indy between the Colts and Chiefs and I’ve attended each one. I’ve only witnessed two victories. ... It was tough taking the tongue-lashings over the year when the majority of fans love a team that dominates your team. But it also has made it that much sweeter when KC wins one that matters ... even my house is divided as my wife is a Colts fan ... someday she’ll look good in red.”
Others: Nathanael Rorie, Evansville; Dana Duncan, Westfield.
IOWA
Jeff and Sara Tolsma, Orange City
“Most of my childhood was spent in South Dakota. Frankly, I was probably a bit of a bratty kid. My Dad (Gerben) was a huge Minnesota Vikings fan. So when the Chiefs and Vikings played in Super Bowl IV, I rooted for the ‘other team’ — the Kansas City Chiefs. After all, I spent a lot of time playing football in the yard with the other neighborhood kids imitating my football heros (i.e. Len Dawson, Otis Taylor, Willie Lanier, Bobby Bell, Curley Culp, Jan Stenerud, etc.). To my delight, the Chiefs actually became Super Bowl champions that day! However, they haven’t won a Super Bowl championship since. ... Since I rooted against my Dad’s team (and they won), I kind of look on it as a kind of curse that I brought upon the team. And yes by the way, I am longing for that curse to be broken!”
KANSAS
Marc Heinitz, Emporia
“My dad used to watch the games all the time and I started watching the game with him and then we went to a game in 1983. Bears vs. Chiefs. Once I went to the game, I was loving the team and loving the sport. It was just amazing. I loved Derrick Thomas. I saw him the Sunday before he got in that crash down at Nordstrom in Overland Park. ... I was working in women’s shoes and he was in men’s shoes. I saw him with a couple other buddies. And I was just devastated when he got in that wreck. There are plenty of Chiefs fans (in Emporia). It’s Chiefs mania right now.”
KENTUCKY
Reed Phillips, Paducah
“It may be disingenuous, but I’m a Chiefs fan because I was born and raised in the metro area, Olathe. There are a few other Chiefs fans that have come out of the woodwork, as I am apparently the spokesperson, being on the local classic rock Morning Show. I don’t normally get any grief. Paducah is smack dab in the middle between St Louis and Nashville, so there were a few Rams fans, there’s a good number of Titans fans, and quite a few Bears fans.”
LOUISIANA
Jared Wilcox, New Orleans
“I’ve lived in New Orleans since ‘09. Came by my fanship honestly. I grew up in Independence near I-70 and Noland during the Marty Era. Watched the end of the Vermeil Era and Herm at Southwest Missouri State/Missouri State. Came down here to work in the film industry. There isn’t a huge Chiefs community here... maybe 10-12 other KC metro native film people down here, but only knew one of them before I came here. The first several years, I’d search for dead bars that would let me commandeer a TV or go to Buffalo Wild Wings, but these days, I just get Sunday Ticket myself.”
MAINE
Will and Molly Atkins, Waterville
“We moved from Olathe in 2018. We live in Patriots territory, and their fans are incredibly arrogant, and think less of anyone that roots for another team. However, we are far enough from Boston that there are a number of people that root for other teams and we can commiserate with. We do hang our Chiefs flag proudly in the front window, and everyone knows where our loyalty lies. Molly has met one other Chiefs fan that attends a Bible study with her.”
Also: Andy Chandler, South Portland; Kari Downs.
MARYLAND
Brooke Shaffer, Chesapeake Bay
“We are from Kansas, so we say red and yellow run in our veins. We get to watch some of the games, if they are the prime-time game or playing a team on the East Coast. We moved out here because my husband was in the army and we were stationed in California. My mother in law moved out here to Maryland so when my husband’s contract was up we moved here.”
Others: Scott Lillich.
MASSACHUSETTS
Daniel J. Downs, Boston
“(My sisters and I) all grew up in KC, but now live around New England in ‘enemy territory,’ as it has become the last few years. We even visited a game at Foxboro last season, decked-out in our Chiefs gear. It causes a little tension with our family members from New England, but we have fun. I became a fan as a teenager, while working in a bar/restaurant (The Old Firehouse) near KCI airport in the Northland (off of Barry Rd. and I-29). Some of the players would stop by, on their way back from the airport (they knew the owner) for dinner and drinks. In the bar area, there were dart boards. I was a helper in the kitchen. The owner (Larry) would occasionally let me meet the players. I even played darts with Steve DeBerg. Long story short, those years (early ‘90s) were a special time for the Chiefs, and I became a fan. It rubbed off on my sisters.”
Others: Jeffrey Tracy, Abington.
MICHIGAN
Olivia McClellan, Auburn Hills
“I live in the greater Detroit area (Auburn Hills, to be specific) but grew up in Independence. It’s easy being a Chiefs fan around here. I love bragging about my team first thing when I arrive at work! The NFL fan base in my area is diverse and quite honestly the hype for the Lions is minimal. The real die-hard fans are the college football lovers. Maybe I just like to stand out, but being a little red in a sea of blue is alright with me.”
Others: Adam Reitemeier, Waterford.
MINNESOTA
Erik Sill, Plymouth
“My younger brother resides in Minneapolis and he’s also a fan. We lived in Kansas City during our youth and remained fans even after our mom remarried and moved us to North Dakota. (I was 9 years old at the time.) My brother and I made the trip down to KC for the AFC Championship Game last year and look forward to watching the Patrick Mahomes-era unfold! (Also attended the Royals’ Wild Card Game against the A’s and Game 2 of the 2014 World Series.)”
Others: Katie McCullough, Minneapolis, Charlene Doll, Minneapolis.
MISSISSIPPI
Kenny Ogden Jr. Pelahatchie
“I grew up in Gladstone and moved to Pelahatchie my senior year of high school, where I graduated in 1990. I can remember as a child going to Arrowhead to a half-empty stadium with my grandfather, where they would announce at halftime at really cold games that we could move to the side where the sun was shining. Now it is a tradition for me, my oldest son Tyler who is 25 now Mom and step Dad to get together every Sunday, or whenever the Chiefs play to watch them together. I have been to every playoff game since the Pittsburgh Steelers game. I even got to experience the AFC Championship Game last year.”
MISSOURI
Kellen Quick, St. Charles
I originally grew up in Columbia. Started going to to Arrowhead as a young child with my dad. Being in Arrowhead, especially in the ‘90s, made me fall in love with the Chiefs. The St. Louis area has become kind of Chiefs area after the Rams left, but there was a good amount of Chiefs fans here before that even. I’ve run into other Chiefs fans in Wentzville that were headed to the game earlier this year. Even the (QT cashier) said he sees a lot of fans headed to KC on game day.”
MONTANA
Richard Smith, Billings
“I love the Chiefs! Even living in Billings, which is ultimately Broncos country, I still wear my colors proudly and get a bit of a rush every time I get a dirty look from a Denver fan. Chiefs Kingdom is a family and no matter how far you live from Arrowhead Stadium, you always feel right at home being a Chiefs fan. The community in Kansas City is among the best in the country. I feel as though Chiefs Kingdom is the best fanbase in the world. My passion for the Chiefs pushed me to start a Chiefs Podcast called Kingdom Radio and has become successful enough to make me consider moving to Kansas City to further my career. I started Kingdom Radio solely because of the passion I have for the Chiefs.”
Others: Jackie M. Brown, Great Falls; Doug and Sherry Hein, Bozeman.
NEBRASKA
Wanda Rains, Beatrice
“We love the Chiefs because they are in KC. ... I have watched them for many years. When we built our home 25 years ago we got Dish (Network), and I love football so my hubs got the whole sports package so I can watch college and pro football. We also have friends who have season tickets. We just love them.”
NEVADA
Adam Morgan, Las Vegas
“I became a Chiefs fan back in 89, watching DT and Neil Smith I just instantly fell in love with this team. I wouldn’t say it’s tough to follow the Chiefs here in Nevada, with all the social media (and) access to every article I want on the Internet. There isn’t a lot of outside coverage locally, that’s mostly the Raiders, but in Vegas you will never miss a game unless it’s by choice. Every game is on somewhere here, be it in a sports book or a sports bar, so it’s probably easier to follow the team in Vegas than most other cities I would say.”
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Adam Burks, Franklin
“My family moved to central Massachusetts (from Chillicothe) in the year 2000 when I was 10, and while it was more convenient to follow the Patriots, it left me unsatisfied and I ended up staying loyal to the Chiefs. When the Chiefs game wasn’t televised, I would hole up in my room and listen to the online stream of Mitch Holthus and Len Dawson’s radio coverage of games while playing as the Chiefs on Madden ‘04. Following the team in enemy territory is more manageable now thanks to the wonders of the Internet. I can usually watch every game and I keep informed by listening to several Chiefs podcasts. Anyone I talk football with on a regular basis is a Patriots fan, so it’s nice having something to listen to that doesn’t constantly involve comparisons to Tom Brady. I definitely experience some ribbing from the locals when I wear my Chiefs gear around, but it’s been oddly quiet recently.”
NEW JERSEY
Steven DiMartino, Freehold
“I grew up in New Jersey and I am 100% color blind and only see red. So as a kid, I came across Joe Montana and Marcus Allen in red on TV and was hooked. Later in life, my first job in meteorology was in (Oklahoma City) which was great because I could follow the Chiefs! Honestly, New Jersey has so many different fan bases here, it’s not a big deal. You have Cowboys, Bills, Jets, Giants, Steelers, etc. Even 49er fans. I do (see other Chiefs fans). One of them is a client of mine. A few at my gym too. And of course you got some bandwagon fans now.”
NEW MEXICO
Matt Chandler, Clovis
“Growing up, all my friends were Broncos fans and Dallas Cowboys fans,” Chandler told The Star in October. “And I wanted to make more of an independent decision. I didn’t want to just be kind of forced into a team. And so I had been collecting football cards. This sounds childish, but I was a child, I was about 8 years old, and I had a football card of Christian Okoye with those shoulder pads and that neck brace. I saw him play against the Broncos and started watching him I just said, ‘This is my team, this is who I’m sticking with.’ And then I’ve just followed them ever since, through and through.” During a visit to Arrowhead during the regular season, Chandler had the chance to meet Okoye.
NEW YORK
Drew Geer, New York
“I can attest to feeling Chiefs pride out in NYC, I never miss a game and even Dante Hall (who lives in New Jersey) comes to the local Chiefs bar for games. He was there for the AFC Championship Game (last year) and was just as torn up as we all were.”
Others: Jason Collinsworth, Buffalo; Michael Garcia, Rochester; Andrew Bard, Long Island.
NORTH CAROLINA
Andrew Schnittker, Waynesville
“Growing up in North Carolina, I’ve always gotten a lot of questions about my Chiefs fandom, and my answer was always quick: ‘My dad’s from there.’ With Dad (Tom) being from the KC area, and my Grandma still living in the town he grew up in (Chillicothe), I was raised on Chiefs football (and Royals baseball). When I was young, I remember watching the occasional game and having gear, but I didn’t really get fully into the Chiefs until Andy Reid’s first season in 2013. Over the years, I’ve grown into a diehard, watching every game thanks to the NFL Sunday Ticket student discount and reading any piece of Chiefs content I can get my hands on.”
Others: Meghan Miller, Charlotte; Steven Johnson.
NORTH DAKOTA
Kevin Lawrence, Bismarck
“I lived in the KC area (both states) from 1984 to 1998 and graduated from Lee’s Summit High School in 1988 (and) KU in 1997. Moved with Mom and stepdad from Los Angeles in 1984, and started following Chiefs instantly. This is Vikings country, but for AFC it’s Broncos and Chiefs. We get a fair number of regional games on TV here.”
OHIO
Amy Anders, Middletown
“I am the athletic trainer for a high school that has the colors crimson and gold, so I decorate my training room with Chiefs memorabilia and everyone knows my love. I’ve listened to Mitch Holtus call playoff games during the timeouts at my basketball games in the past years; on Dec. 1, I was given permission to watch the Raiders game by my football coach at our banquet.”
Others: Leisa Knudson, Columbus; Michael Miller, Cincinnati.
OKLAHOMA
Rob Houston, Enid
“I’m 57 years old, and my first sports memory is watching the Chiefs beating the New York Jets in the 1969 playoffs, followed by their victory over the hated Oakland Raiders and their Super Bowl IV win over the Minnesota Vikings as the Chiefs kept matriculating the ball down the field. You wouldn’t think being a Chiefs fan in Oklahoma would be all that difficult with its relatively close proximity to Arrowhead. However, finding the Chiefs on television via the Oklahoma City market serving Enid can be challenging. Oklahoma is a college athletics state and college football is king. On Sundays, if it’s not the Dallas Cowboys, we are fed Cleveland Browns or Arizona Cardinals games. It makes no sense until you realize their quarterbacks are Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray, both former OU quarterbacks and Heisman Trophy winners. The Chiefs are Option 4 and are shown if none of the first three factors are in direct conflict. Thank goodness for DirecTV’s Sunday Ticket!”
Others: R.W. Buel, Oklahoma City.
OREGON
Chris Gharst, Beaverton
“I should tell you, HUGE following here in Portland, Oregon. Every game day Chiefs fans go to a local bar (D’s Bar) and cheer on Kansas City — the place gets packed and there are tons of die-hards sporting their KC gear — the viewing gets pretty intense but you can bet we are the loudest place to be on Sundays at 10 a.m. or later.”
Others: Roy Zolnoski, Portland.
PENNSYLVANIA
Mike Munsterman, Lehigh Valley
“I am a die-hard Chiefs fan, living in the Lehigh Valley in eastern Pennsylvania, and I’m not alone. I moved here and got married in 2017, and immediately started noticing random Chiefs flags, Chiefs license plates, window stickers, etc. I’ve managed to make a few ‘Chief fan’ friends, and on occasion, we get together to watch a game. Since moving to eastern Pennsylvania I don’t have the fancy garage, so I usually catch the games with fellow Chiefs fans from here in the Lehigh Valley.”
Others: Haley Fister, Croydon; Teresa Miller, Royersford, Pat Clevenger, Pittsburgh.
RHODE ISLAND
Edward Montgomery, Johnston
“Even though I lived in New England my whole life I never followed the Patriots ever lol but my cousin got me to like the 49ers as a kid and when (Joe) Montana left in ‘92 I followed and loved the Chiefs ever since then.”
SOUTH CAROLINA
Carolyn Williams, Myrtle Beach
“Living in South Carolina and being a Chiefs fan is such a joy. Every Chiefs fan is basically like family. Whenever you see someone wearing anything Chiefs you always feel like you can have a super genuine conversation and just be so excited about the team! It’s always nice to have fans of other teams make comments about the chiefs to me whenever I’m decked out in my KC gear too! Usually just saying how jealous they are about how good our team is! Because my parents and brother still live in the KC area, whenever I go home to visit them we always try to make it to a Chiefs event, so it’s such an amazing bonding experience for us to grow in our love for the Chiefs!”
Others: Andrew Ross, Bluffton.
SOUTH DAKOTA
Jamie Jackson, Sioux Falls
“I actually grew up in the northwest corner of South Dakota, which has about as many Broncos fans as Vikings fans. Since it’s one of the most remote places in the U.S., fandom is pretty open. When I was about 7, my parents took me to visit relatives in Kansas, and my stepfather’s uncle gave me a Chiefs hat. It was sealed at that point who I would root for in the NFL. I currently live in Sioux Falls, and there are a TON of Chiefs fans in this area. KWSN sports radio Sioux falls broadcaster John Gaskins (another Chiefs fan) brings Bob Fescoe in regularly to talk Chiefs.”
TENNESSEE
Carly Wansing, Nashville
“It has been pretty difficult to watch the Chiefs from home this season, most games have been on CBS at the same time as the Titans games so they show the local team. We have listened to several games on 101 The Fox from our Echo, or on satellite radio in the car. We are not big into streaming and we have two small boys and the youngest is too active for a sports bar. We wear our Chiefs gear regularly and usually get one or 2 other Chiefs fans that stop and ask where we are from. Several of my sons Titans fan friends are big fans of Patrick Mahomes. It is crazy for us to go back to Missouri and see EVERYONE in their red. Fans here are not like that. You hardly see anyone in Titans gear unless you are at the game.”
Others: Sissy Stevinson, Nashville; Stephanie Colt.
TEXAS
Cheri Hampton, Dallas
“I actually lived in Johnson County, Kansas from the mid-1990s until 2016. I arrived in Kansas City as a die-hard Cleveland Brown fan (grew up in Cleveland), but was converted within a year. Now I can’t imagine rooting for any other team. The Kansas City Chiefs are my team, and that’s not going to change.”
Others: Mary Knight, Carrollton; Sara Fenton, Dallas; Blake Halpert, Fort Worth; Marcus Brewer; Julia Thompson, Houston; Sean Lowery, Austin, Rich Gagnon, Amarillo; Kurt and Carolyn Newgent, Fort Worth.
UTAH
Jacob Larsen, Bountiful
“I became a Chiefs fan as a kid, around age 8. My dad liked to watch San Francisco and Joe Montana. Naturally he was my favorite player, but I didn’t care for the team that much. When he left for KC I continued to follow him and fell in love with the team. I’ve been lucky the last couple seasons as far as Chiefs games, we actually got every Chiefs game televised here this season. When the Broncos are good, they show a lot of their games over Chiefs, but we get a fair amount. I’ll either watch at a friend’s or listen to Mitch Holthus when not on TV. People ask how I became a Chiefs fan, but us not having a home team it’s normal to see fans of all the teams. The majority of fans here do root for the Broncos, so there is some playful banter between me and them.”
VERMONT
Park Crist, Stowe
“I am a senior in high school. I have been a Chiefs fan as long as I can remember. My dad grew up in western Kansas then moved out to Vermont for college. He and my grandfather introduced me to the Kingdom. Being a Chiefs fan in Vermont can be pretty tough. Most of my friends are Patriots fans. I usually get a lot of trash talk if the Chief lose, but I’ve made sure to remind them who won this year. I am able to watch every game through NFL Sunday Ticket and haven’t missed a game since I began to follow the team. I’ve been to Arrowhead once, to see the Chiefs play Buffalo a few years ago. Last year my family went to the regular-season game against the Patriots at Foxboro. I got the opportunity to meet and talk to Harrison Butker afterwards, and he and Patrick Mahomes autographed a football for me.”
VIRGINIA
JoAnna Heaps, Vinton
“I watch the games when they actually show them here. Otherwise we go to a restaurant that is showing it or watch online. My best friend and her husband are also Chiefs fans. His father was originally from Oklahoma. I was born in Missouri. Parents are still there. They are Chiefs fans. I joined the Navy right out of high school, stationed in Italy a few years and then ended up in Virginia. It’s not always easy to be a Chiefs fan in Redskins and Ravens territory. And a few Carolina fans also. I have only seen a few other Chiefs fans around. And that’s been more recently. Maybe because of Mahomes? When I wear my Chiefs gear now, more people respond than a few years back. They know Mahomes, they know the Chiefs. They like to ask questions, maybe testing me? Maybe trying to learn more themselves? I grew up in KC. Joined Navy right after high school. Went to Italy and ended up in Virginia.”
Others: Andrew Arash Taherzadeh, Fairfax County; Sandy Wallace, Lynchburg; Stanley Benes, Chesapeake.
WASHINGTON
Rick Rickert, Seabeck
“I’ve been a Chiefs fan since 1966, when I was 11. Won $20 bet (a lot back then) with my very confident, trash-talking 9th grade gym teacher on Super Bowl IV as heavy underdog vs. the Purple People Eaters. Dishing it out to my gym teacher on the Monday following the game at school was one of the happiest days of my life! Never lived in KC area, but travel back once each year for Arrowhead and BBQ fix. While living in northern Virginia, I started watching football games on TV in 1966 with my father who was a huge fan. He preferred the old NFL on CBS, but I also watched AFL (pre-merger) games on NBC. I recall watching the Chiefs, coached by Hank Stram, and thought they were one of the most innovative offensive teams that stood out from all others with all their various shifts, formations, reverses, and just general razzle-dazzle plays, Dawson, Garrett, Bell, Buchanan were all-stars, but Otis Taylor was instantly my favorite as I played end at the time in Little League football. I’ve rooted for them every since through thick and thin and sincerely hope for a championship in my lifetime, which I’m very confident of with the Reid-Mahomes combination. I cannot wait for a sea of red parade in downtown KC and will certainly be there in the midst of it whenever it occurs.”
Others: Anjanette Wojciechowicz.
WEST VIRGINIA
P.J. Smith, Morgantown
“Lived in KC from 67-70, was 4 years old when we won SB IV, lived in Des Moines for years after that and came to at least three games a year. Lenny Dawson and George Brett are gods to me. I feel like I am the only Chiefs fan around the Morgantown area. Steelers fans do not like KC for some reason, not one person around here wished me luck before the AFC Championship Game last year and all I wear is Chiefs gear. It will be great to win one again. It has been a long 50 years. This is our time.”
WISCONSIN
Emma Carlson, Pewaukee
“Living in Packer territory … aka Wisconsin ... has its ups and downs. It has a great atmosphere here in Wisconsin with our beer, cheese curds, and fish frys but there is nothing like good KC BBQ from Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que. Whenever I tell people from Wisconsin that my favorite BBQ is from a gas station I think their jaws drop. We definitely standout when we wear our red and gold vs. green and gold. I nearly max out my credit card whenever we head down to Kansas City because we can never find Chiefs gear here. Some of that gear has flown half way across the world to Shanghai China with our foreign exchange student that we hosted for seven years. He is a proud Chiefs fan, displaying his Chiefs Kingdom pride and hopefully converting a few fans when he is back in China. When my brother gets the chance to go to games at Lambeau he shows up in Chiefs gear regardless of the opposing team. He’s even getting married in the shadows of Lambeau Field (His fiancée is a Packer fan ... we couldn’t persuade her ... yet). You can bet that if there are any photos of them at Lambeau he will be wearing his Chiefs jersey and her in Packers gear. And there are plans in the making on inviting Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers to the wedding, you can’t break up that State Farm crew!”
WYOMING
Ryan McCammon, Cheyenne
I grew up in Kansas City during the 1980s when the Chiefs were really bad. So bad that the only way to ‘watch’ their home games was to listen to them on the radio given the NFL blackout rules at the time. I moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming in 2008 when the Chiefs were still bad. Living in ‘Broncos Country’ has been an adventure ever since. The Chiefs were a joke to those Denver Broncos fans living in Cheyenne. However, I was up to the challenge. During Denver’s reign of the AFC West from 2011 to 2015, I lost wagers to my Broncos friends every year with the eternal hope that my Chiefs would eventually corral Denver. That moment finally arrived in November 2015 when my Chiefs upset the Super Bowl-bound Broncos at Mile High (or whatever the stadium was called then). Ever since, the Chiefs have dominated Denver. I don’t let my Broncos friends ever forget that!”
This story was originally published January 30, 2020 at 12:38 PM.